Alpine Spirit
04-03-2007, 03:03 PM
Look at the picture. Can you see pieces of black, bumpy dirt?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/31/CryptoBioticSoil.jpg
This is called cryptobiotic soil. And we all must strive to keep our selves, our pets and our rigs off of it.
What is it?
This dirt is alive. It is made of many tiny living things.
They are like a rug covering the ground. Water makes the soil crust swell and move. The ground gets bumpy.
They were here before dinosaurs. They helped make Earth's air.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f5/Cryptobiotic_soil.JPG/800px-Cryptobiotic_soil.JPG
Notice how it kind of looks like rubber/latex peeling on the open edges, this is the crust also.
Why is it important?
Cryptobiotic soil crusts are important. They help keep the soil firm. They stop wind and water from moving the dirt. They also help feed and water the soil.
What are the dangers?
It is easy to harm cryptobiotic crusts. A footprint can kill the soil. The bike trail in the picture hurts the ground.
Crusts need sunlight to live. They die if they are buried.
It takes a long time for the crust to grow. It can take hundreds of years.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e3/Cryptobiotic.JPG/800px-Cryptobiotic.JPG
What can I do?
A footprint can turn crust to dust. WATCH YOUR STEP, EVERYWHERE!!
Look for cryptobiotic soil. Stay on trails and bike paths. Save our Moab Trails.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/31/CryptoBioticSoil.jpg
This is called cryptobiotic soil. And we all must strive to keep our selves, our pets and our rigs off of it.
What is it?
This dirt is alive. It is made of many tiny living things.
They are like a rug covering the ground. Water makes the soil crust swell and move. The ground gets bumpy.
They were here before dinosaurs. They helped make Earth's air.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f5/Cryptobiotic_soil.JPG/800px-Cryptobiotic_soil.JPG
Notice how it kind of looks like rubber/latex peeling on the open edges, this is the crust also.
Why is it important?
Cryptobiotic soil crusts are important. They help keep the soil firm. They stop wind and water from moving the dirt. They also help feed and water the soil.
What are the dangers?
It is easy to harm cryptobiotic crusts. A footprint can kill the soil. The bike trail in the picture hurts the ground.
Crusts need sunlight to live. They die if they are buried.
It takes a long time for the crust to grow. It can take hundreds of years.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e3/Cryptobiotic.JPG/800px-Cryptobiotic.JPG
What can I do?
A footprint can turn crust to dust. WATCH YOUR STEP, EVERYWHERE!!
Look for cryptobiotic soil. Stay on trails and bike paths. Save our Moab Trails.