Over Spring Break I traveled with some friends to Moab, Utah, While picking up our tour permit I kept hearing references to “cryptobiotic soil”. Being a microbiology student, I was soon tuned into the rangers warnings.
"Stay off the cryptobiotic soil,” were constant warnings to the visitors. All the rangers knew was that the little brown crust on the sand was to be avoided. We were
After three days of avoiding little brown fuzzy patches on the sand was anxious to get home and look up some information about cryptobiotics in Southern Utah. There is a good site on wikipedia, and several other sites that are more scientific if you want to look further.




WHAT IS CRYPTOBIOTIC SOIL?
“crypt” hidden; “bio” life
This term is used to indicate that the soil has organisms in it that, along with their by-products, create a crust of particles that are bound together. Cryptobiotic soil is made up mostly of cyanobacteria, mosses, and lichens.

These crusts are near the surface (from 1-10 cm in depth). They provide stability to the soil. They reduce erosion and participate in nitrogen fixation. They also help in water-plant relations and help in germination of new plant life. Because of their rough texture they are able to absorb more water, and filtration into the soil increases.

These crusts are well adapted to harsh growing conditions. They do well in the arid deserts and are not adversely affected by wind. They are not well adapted to tire treads; or crushing and trampling by hik-ers and animals. When the cryptobiotic crusts are destroyed the delicate balance of nature is disrupted. Soil erosion and runoff increase drastically, and recovery of this system can take anywhere from 1-5 years.

This is just a brief overview of the topic, but might be of interest to some of you off-roaders! So…Don’t walk on the little brown crusts while you are out their enjoying nature.

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