Trampling disturbance and recovery of cryptogamic soil crusts in Grand Canyon National Park
Cole DN. 1990. Trampling disturbance and recovery of cryptogamic soil crusts in Grand Canyon National Park. Great Basin Naturalist (Western North American Naturalist). 50(4):321-325
Research on cryptobiotic soil shows that disturbance very quickly destroys the valuable living surface crust found in desert areas. Fifteen crossings destroyed the structure of the crusts, and by 50 crossings, visual evidence of bacteria and cryptogam cover was nearly gone. In the limited test sites, crusts redeveloped in 1-3 years. After 5 years, little evidence of the disturbance was seen, but lack of the characteristic surface irregularity showed incomplete recovery.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Cole, David
- Units
- GRCA , LAKE , MOJA , SODN
- Keywords
- Cryptogamic Crusts, cryptogamic soil, Grand Canyon, Human Impact, Human Impacts, Natural Resources, NPSRecord, Preservation, Recovery, Resource Management, Restoration, soil crust, Soils, Trampling, Visitor Impacts