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Biological Soil Crusts:

Biological Soil Crusts:. Keystone of the Colorado Plateau. Keystone Species:. Cyanobacterium: Microcoleus vaginatus. Figure 1. Filaments of Microcoleus vaginatus (x 3000), the dominant organism in the crust. Individual cells abut each other to form the filaments.

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Biological Soil Crusts:

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  1. Biological Soil Crusts: Keystone of the Colorado Plateau

  2. Keystone Species: • Cyanobacterium: Microcoleus vaginatus Figure 1. Filaments of Microcoleus vaginatus (x 3000), the dominant organism in the crust. Individual cells abut each other to form the filaments. from: http://geochange.er.usgs.gov/sw/impacts/biology/crypto/

  3. Microcoleus

  4. How is this a keystone species??

  5. Cryptobiotic Soil Crusts Open spaces covered by biological soil crusts, a highly specialized community of cyanobacteria, mosses, and lichens.

  6. Cryptobiotic Soil Crusts • Protection for plant seedlings

  7. Cryptobiotic Soil Crusts • Protection from erosion

  8. Cryptobiotic Soil Crusts • Easily destroyed by trampling, off-road vehicles, etc. ORVs in the Indian Creek area travel off-route at nearly every opportunity they have. Here, illegal cross-country riding has crushed cryptobiotic soils, causing damage that could last 50 to 300 years. Indian Creek proposed wilderness area. San Juan County, UT. redrockheritage.org/orv_gallery_2/

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