Cryptobiotic soil

 



In many dry or desert areas such as southern Utah, there's a fascinating and unusual life form that many newcomers are not aware of. THE DIRT IS ALIVE! A large portion of the ground (estimated at up to 70%) in these areas is covered with a crust called cryptobiotic soil, cryptogamic soil, biological soil crust, or simply biocrust. This kind of soil crust is actually found around the world. "Cryptobiotic" means "hidden life," and that's a good description of what the soil crust is. See the photos I took last week.
A form of cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) is one of the oldest life forms on earth and is a primary component. This organism is dormant when dry, but when it gets wet, it moves through the soil leaving a web of fibers that join the soil, making it more resistent to erosion and able to absorb and retain moisture. Other organisms - lichen, mosses, green algae, fungi, and other bacteria - grow into the web of fibers on the soil, and create together the living crust that helps protect the web. This crust is essential in helping prevent wind and water erosion, in fixing nitrogen from the air into a form that plants use, and in storing water for other plants to grow.
Careless visitors to areas where this material is found sometimes walk or drive over it, causing severe damage to the crust. Mature crusts can take 50 years or more to develop or to recover, and can live for many hundreds of years. So those who are educated and aware about the soil carefully avoid stepping on it at any time. Instead they walk in established trails, on bare rock, or in sandy washes.
The intracacy and interdepedence of life on this planet is constantly astonishing. But an uninformed hiker could be innocently walking across a life form, destroying the incredibly fragile balance of life that literally helps make life possible for all of us as well. How important is it that we be informed and aware of the world around us!
I #GiveThanks for not just life, but the balance of all living things that makes this world such a miracle.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Napping in public

Image
  As I get older, a good snooze now and then is a joy and a blessing. I seem to want to enjoy that blessing more frequently! Not a thing wrong with that, especially in the circumstance shown in the first photo (thanks Matthew for the photo).... As I was in a meeting earlier today, watching those seated in front, I had some flashbacks that involved others, and perhaps myself, who struggled with the particular challenge of staying awake in that setting. I remember thinking in the past, "How rude - not a very good example for a leader to doze off in front of everyone." But later I learned how hard it can be to remain alert, when very early morning meetings and a demanding schedule can wear on your ability to endure. I guess I had to "be there" to fully appreciate the struggle. Years ago I remember reading a delightful essay by BYU English professor Richard Cracroft titled "On the Vicissitudes of Serving in the Bishopric" (such a memorable title!) in which he
Read more

Nature's secret maps

Image
  On a hike in the woods earlier this week, Bonnie and I noticed there were logs set across the trail now and then, probably for erosion control. But on closer inspection, we started to realize there were patterns on the logs, and on even CLOSER inspection, we started to realize that the patterns looked like trail maps! Clearly, we decided, they were secret messages for the highly observant hikers indicating the locations of spectacular secret ancient treasures!! Of course, it became necessary to follow the pattern of a couple of the secret maps. After some expert and exhaustive tracking, we excitedly came to the end where the spectacular secret ancient treasure would be, and found nothing... only this (see additional photos). Oh, wait...... I #GiveThanks for spectacular secret ancient treasures and the chance to discover them by following nature's carefully encoded maps.  
Read more

Every Day is a Gift

Image
My father's mortal experience ended when I was 7 years old. He didn't get the privilege of seeing his five children mature and marry, and have children of their own, or feel the special joy of being a grandfather. I now have grandchildren the age that I was when he left us - a whole generation of extra time. So I #GiveThanks for the gift of one more day, a priceless ongoing sharing of joy.
Read more