Maintaining a healthy shrub-steppe ecosystem requires protecting the living soil crust— associations of different tiny organisms such as lichens, bryophytes, algae, and cyanobacteria. This poem explains some of the reasons why its protection is important.
Hidden Gems
In between the sagebrush
of the arid shrub-steppe land
scattered brown clumps
of lumps seem dead
yet these tiny gems are grand.This hidden world of living soil,
binding the soil, holding it in
from blowing wind, adding
nutrients for plants indeed-
a welcome gift the arid land needs.This crusty world of living soil,
Sheri Edwards
bursts with life when spring rain flows,
holding away the cheat grass growth
while stirring in greens that feed the earth:
Step lightly, protecting the gifts bestowed.
National Poetry Month
4/4/26
Resources:
Patterns in biological soil crust recovery
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I wonder, if I draw a line... 