As the short-lived cheatgrass dies out in early summer, the maturing grasshoppers may switch to the native grasses, such as Indian ricegrass, which grow later in the season. Thus the cheatgrass may be incubating young grasshoppers which later become hungry adults that devastate the native grasses. We did have time to explore some of the beautiful canyons and flats of eastern Utah. The potholes that dot the slickrock are home to interesting forms of life. Visit the Park Service's web page to learn more about potholes .
Cryptobiotic crust is a fragile layer of life covering undisturbed soil.
Visit the Park Service's web page to learn more about cryptobiotic crusts .