What is the effect of biological soil crust

In my experiment,I will be learning about the different types piles of sand taken up by wind and brought up to mountains to melt snow. This sand is called Biological soil crust. It’s normally dark in color, it retains water and helps plants nearby. And It carries nutrients in its soil. My goal in the experiment is the find some of it in a undisturbed area, observe it, and compare areas that have it and areas that don’t.