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Microphytic crusts: 'topsoil' of the desert

Permaculture Drylands Journal
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Abstract

Deserts throughout the world are the home of microphytic, or cryptogamic, crusts. These crusts are dominated by cyanobacteria, previously called blue-green algae, and also include lichens, mosses, green algae, microfungi and bacteria. They are critical components of desert ecosystems, significantly modifying the surfaces on which they occur. In the cold deserts of the Colorado Plateau (including parts of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico), these crusts are extraordinarily well-developed, and may represent 70-80% of the living ground cover.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Microphytic crusts: 'topsoil' of the desert
Series title Permaculture Drylands Journal
Volume 10
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher Permaculture Drylands
Publisher location Tucson, AZ
Description 2 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Permaculture Drylands Journal
First page 4
Last page 5
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