And in some places, you can tell that the soil is in really good shape because it has a crust, too. Dig in to more about soil crust. If you go for a hike in Utah's Arches National Park, the park ranger will probably tell you to be careful where you step. A soil crust is a complex, living community. They play a very important role in the ecosystem.
Soil crusts prevent erosion.
They act like a sponge, to retain precious rainwater. And they make the soil more fertile. But soil crusts are fragile. A footstep can kill the micro-organisms. Then erosion begins.