Also Called Biocrust, Cryptobiotic Soil Is A Community Of Tiny, Dirt-dwelling Organisms That Form A Distinct

EL PAÍS English

The dirt on biocrusts: Why scientists are working to save Earth’s living skin

Think twice before stepping on that crunchy top layer of soil. It may be a vital ecosystem — one that you can help protect.

Also called biocrust, cryptobiotic soil is a community of tiny, dirt-dwelling organisms that form a distinct crust on the top of soil in arid landscapes. These crusts are vital across Earth’s dryland ecosystems, helping to hold loose soil together and prevent erosion. They retain water, provide nooks for other microbes to live in and add nitrogen to the soil.

Cryptobiotic soil often looks like a discolored patch of ground. Upon closer inspection, the stain becomes a mosaic of small, dark lumps, dotted with tiny beds of moss and inconspicuous patches of lichen. But it can also look very similar to regular, crusty soil. Although the crunchy earth might be tempting to trek over, like stomping through a pile of crisp autumn leaves, that’s a major faux pas: Biocrust can take decades to regenerate.

Biocrusts cover around 12 percent of Earth’s land surfaces and inhabit every continent in the world. A major component of these crusts is often photosynthesizing bacteria called cyanobacteria. The cyanobacteria form sticky filaments that act like glue in sandy desert soil, creating a clumpy, crusty surface where fungi and other bacteria take hold.

Depending on what environment a biocrust is in, it can also house itty-bitty mosses, lichens and microscopic algae. For example, in desert areas with more moisture, like Moab, Utah, biocrusts tend to feature mosses. In gypsum-rich soils, such as near Lake Mead, Nevada, lichens take center stage. Some crusts feature all components, and in other crusts, multiple components are missing. But regardless of their community lineup, the crusts all serve as a living skin for desert land.

“They provide this suit of armor to the soil,” says Ferran Garcia-Pichel, a microbiologist at Arizona State University in Tempe. When he first started working with biocrusts around two decades ago, very little was known about them. In the 2023 Annual Review of Microbiology, Garcia-Pichel outlines what researchers have learned about cryptobiotic soil over the last couple decades and what remains unknown.

Where? - prose by Paul Vincent Cannon

At dVerse Merril is hosting Prosery (144 words) where we write a piece of prose (fiction or non-fiction) which must include the line “Where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” from the Poem ‘The Hill We Climb’ by Amanda Gorman. dVerse Poets – Prosery – Finding The Light Photo: mensxp.com “As in what if the shadow is golden?” Rosamond S. King Where? Where can we find light in this…

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4 months ago

Seeking The Seed - a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon

Photo: ayers.com.au bushfire recovery “The dying of the trees goes on …” Philip Larkin Seeking The SeedCurious,though carrying less thannine lives Ientered the public buildingthe hall of ecological responses,covered in beautiful scriptsembossed on exquisite clothon every wallso beautiful the words Idesired to touch them,as my fingers tracedthe walls gave wayfritted, collapsed,with swollen heart…

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5 months ago

Every Flake - a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon

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2 weeks ago

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2 months ago

The Willow Is Not Alone - a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon

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3 months ago

After Dinner - a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon

Photo: Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries – popsugar.com “With mouth so sweet, so poisonous …” Conrad Aiken After DinnerAfter dinnerin his rakish suitand exquisite silken tieunder the canopy of rich black haircombed down,so leanyou think he'llslowly, tenderlyunbutton your blousestroke your thighstill tremors overrunand dizzying lightswhirl your eyes,but did you not…

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1 month ago

Cup Of Swirl - a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon

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7 months ago

Djane Ki, Allow me to Insist, from Vagari E.P., LBA-KI-CD7, La Bande Adhésive, (Digital album), 2023

Written, produced and mixed by Vanessa Jeantrelle aka Dj Ki Artwork & mastering by Nicolaiev Boutovitch at LBA studio

@dj-ki

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6 months ago

The Story Never Mattered - a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon

At dVerse Melissa is hosting Poetics with an invitation to write a poem about a favourite TV show(s). dVerse Poets – Poetics – Favorite TV Shows Photo: Joanna Lumley, still shot for her role as Purdy in the BBCs New Avengers (1976 – 77) a show about three British agents battling a range of criminal and terror plots. “A delicate flame runs beneath my skin” Sappho The Story Never Mattered…

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5 months ago

As Long As I Can Fly - a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon

At dVerse Melissa is hosting Poetics with an invitation to write a poem using the photographic work of Michale Sammut (by permission). For all the photos and more detail follow the link below: dVerse Poets – Poetics – Art In Nature I have chosen this Photo by Michael Sammut – many thanks Michael – check out his wonderful work here Michael Sammut Photo: Ruddy Turnstone by Michael Sammut “A…