Many parts of Earth are covered and protected by a layer of organisms called a biocrust. The layer acts as a skin for the Earth, protecting landscapes and reducing long-term damage. But climate change and human activities are harming the biocrust, and the crucial layer takes a long time to restore. This could have problematic and persistent implications for several ecosystems and even human structures.
What's the biocrust? Also called cryptobiotic soil, biocrust is a "community of tiny dirt-dwelling organisms that form a distinct crust on the top of soil in arid landscapes," said Knowable Magazine. It covers approximately 12% of the Earth's surface and can play a vital role, especially in dry ecosystems, by preventing soil erosion and helping to retain water.
Ecologically important, biocrust takes a long time to be restored once destroyed. "When the biocrust is gone, it leaves behind a surface layer of exposed, loose dust that can feed dust storms," said Arizona State University News. "It can take decades for biocrust to grow back on its own and gain enough ground to suppress that dust once more."
Why is it in danger? Climate change and human activity are causing the destruction of biocrust. "Over the next 65 years, models suggest that climate change could slash 25% to 40% of biocrust cover," said Knowable Magazine. The crusts are "sensitive to higher temperatures and to fluctuations in precipitation — both extended dry spells and unusual increases in rainfall can harm them, depending on their location." To combat this, scientists are trying to grow biocrust in the wild.
An existing biocrust community could be the key in aiding regrowth. "We put [biocrust] out in these harsh environments, kind of alone, and say, 'Live, thrive,'" Sasha Reed, an ecologist at the U.S. Geological Survey who's leading the research, said to the magazine. "We're not seeing it do that as much as we would hope."
However, one boon of microorganisms is their resilience. "Although they are still vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, these constantly evolving organisms are expected to deploy internal mechanisms to adapt to future extremes," said CNN. |