Biological soil crust
Cryptogamic soil; Cryptogammic soil; Cryptobiotic soil crust; Cryptobiotic soil; Biological soil crusts; Cryptobiotic soil crusts; Biocrust
Biological soil crusts are communities of living organisms on the soil surface in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. They are found throughout the world with varying species composition and cover depending on topography, soil characteristics, climate, plant community, microhabitats, and disturbance regimes.