Cryptogamic covers, also known as biocrusts, are terrestrial communities of cyanobacteria, lichen, and bryophytes contributing to 7% of net primary production and over half of biological nitrogen fixation worldwide. These processes make them irreplaceable regulators of earth systems processes, imperiled by climate change and desertification. This project collected a large and geographically representative repository of biocrust data / study methodologies to explore how resilient ecosystems are tied to life on land. We integrated geoscientific perspectives on biocrusts within the context of UN Sustainable Development Goals to document the global impact of biocrusts, as well as suggest areas of focus for future research. Social impact components included teaching sessions and curriculum planning for high school students from New York and New Jersey.