Level of Development Index
Biological soil crusts can be monitored using visually defined categories in areas dominated by cyanobacteria. These six categories were chosen for the Colorado Plateau. Tests showed these categories are easily distinguished by both trained and untrained observers and are closely related to cyanobacterial biomass and the resistance of the soil surface For more information, see Belnap, J., S. L. Phillips, D. L. Witwicki, and M. E. Miller. In press. Visually assessing cyanobacterial biomass and soil surface stability in cyanobacterially dominated biological soil crusts. Journal of Arid Environments.