The lesson is easy to miss because biocrusts are so small. We notice a damaged shrub or a deep vehicle rut. We are less likely to notice the thin living layer between them, or recognise a pale, bare patch as something that used to be there.

The lesson is easy to miss because biocrusts are so small. We notice a damaged shrub or a deep vehicle rut. We are less likely to notice the thin living layer between them, or recognise a pale, bare patch as something that used to be there.