Have you ever wondered, “Can soil be damaged?”. You can sometimes end up in a conclusion of “Nope”, but the soil is a very fragile thing. Recently, I had a trip to several national parks and I learned the importance of conserving the soil. We might think that soil is too common to be important but it is the base of everything. Let’s find out more.
In a dessert, soil is very important. The biocrust made out of organic materials protects animals and plants from the sizzling heat, therefore protecting moisture. However, these crusts and the soil are too fragile, destroyed even with a misstep. Plus, it will take extensive time for the crust to form again. If you ever visit the dessert, watch where you step.
In addition, soil is vital in a forest ecosystem. The nutritious soil provides trees and plants with nourishment and water, being a basic food source for them. Animals, on the other hand, walk on the soil every day, and they call it home. Mammals such and chipmunks and bears build dens in the soil, making a good home during their hibernation. However, humans can destroy harmless grass or leave footprints which will be harmful to the ecosystem. Although not as fragile as the dessert soil, stay on the trail.
For example, biocrusts were common in the Arches National Park (Located in Utah, U.S.A) in the past, protecting harmless plant roots and seeds from being dried up. However, a sudden rush of tourists with not much government control caused severe damage to the soil. Sadly, the special crust takes hundreds of years to form again and the national park is still trying to protect the special geological soil.
Last but not least, I will tell how to protect the soil. Stay on the trail, even if there is a faster or shorter route. Try not to stomp out any plants to conserve weak vegetation. This is also the best for your safety, as many people become lost when stepping off a trail. After reading this news, I hope you conserve the soil under your feet!
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