cryptobiotic soils

[brenttannehill]

I was reading about the soil of Shrub-steppe communities, and the article said that they have a cryptobiotic crust over the soil. Cryptobiotic soils are a combination of cyanobacteria, algae, fungi mosses and lichens that preserve moisture and nutrients. If disturbed, they can take up to 250 years to recover. I've seen these fragile soils in deserts of Utah, but didn't know that we had the same soil here. Is this true, or is the term "shrub-steppe" a little too general to explain what our ecosystem is?

[Reapward]

A soils expert should be able to answer that question. There are some here in the Valley I would think. I will think on it and see if I come up with anyone. Of course, if they read the BB, they may answer. I would be interested to know too.