Wilderness Words: Crust

Living soil crust (a.k.a. cryptobiotic soil) is a hardened layer of living organisms such as cyanobacteria, fungi, algae, and mosses as well as non-living soil. When hiking in areas with living soil crust, stick to trails and watch your step to avoid damaging this unique and important resource.

Learn more in the video below:

Leave No Trace’s Cameron Larnerd and Nick Whites are part of the 2019 Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program that provides free, mobile education to communities across the country. Proud partners of this program include Subaru of America, REI, Eagles Nest Outfitters, Deuter,
Thule, Fjällräven and Klean Kanteen.