CRYPTOBIOTIC SOILS

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK

CRYPTOBIOTIC SOIL

PLEASE STAY ON TRAILS 

AND DO NOT WALK ON THESE LIVING SOIL. 

THEY TAKE 50 YEARS TO GROW 

AND ARE PROTECTED BY LAW.

“Cryptobiotic soil is found throughout the world. In arid regions, these living soil crusts are dominated by cyanobacteria, and also include soil lichens, mosses, green algae, microfungi and bacteria. These crusts play an important role in the ecosystems in which they occur.”