Help me name this plant/fungus life

[Coach]

Sorry I don't have any pictures. While doing some canyoneering around Moab last year, a guide pointed out an interesting plant species. I don't recall what it was but it basically looks like dirt that has been frozen giving it an upward/downward structure. Apparently, these plants can be thousands of years old are a key component of cycling oxygen into the soil, making other plant life possible. I thought he referred to it as diatomaceous earth, but that is apparently the remains of hard-shelled algae. Anybody know what this is?

 

edited, I found a picture.

[kidso]

Looks like a type of lichen to me.

[SWDesertRat]

It's biological soil crust or also known as cryptobiotic soil, it's cool to see it turn green after the rain or if you pee on it.

 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_soil_crust

[WampusCat]

Some type of this crust stuff is growing in our AZ deserts as well. I have seen a lot of it in the KOFAs and similar terrain. I try to stay off of it because it takes so long to recover.

[mbiewer]

learned about it on our trip to Sedona. The jeep guide said it is actually one of the oldest living organisms on the plane. it takes an eternity for it to grow, and is almost irreparable when its stepped on.

 

here's an article about "don't bus the crust"

 

http://www.moabbikepatrol.com/soils.htm

[IA Born]

Definitely cryptobiotic soil, cryptogrammic soil, or biological soil crust (a few other common names, too). Its a key component to holding desert soils together and keeping them from eroding. They are also key in keeping nonnative plants from establishing in those areas. I have tons of scientific literature regarding their ecological importance and what happens when they are disrupted.