Endangered Dirt!

Cryptobiotic (sounds like something from a James Bond movie) soils are found in the arid, and semi-arid climates of the southwestern USA and other parts of the world. This delicate soil crust is made primarily of blue-green algae and also include soil lichens, mosses, green algae, microfungi, and bacteria. In some areas of the southwestern US, this cust makes up as much as 70% of the live ground cover.

This "lumpy" soil crust is beneficial according to scientists because it helps control precipitation runoff, and is highly beneficial to other plant growth. It helps stabilize the surface thereby helping to cut down on dust too.

The crust is easily damaged by vehicle, animal, and human traffic, especially when dry. When wet, the cust can absorb up to 10 times it's volume of water thereby helping desert plants survive during long periods drought.

So please...watch where you walk and drive on your RV camping trips because areas that are disturbed may never recover. Read more about Cryptobiotic Soils.

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