In mesic environments, erosion control measures usually employ the establishment of vegetative cover by vascular plants in order to hold the soil in place. The current art often includes the application of seeds, chemical fertilizers, tackifiers, and mulches to promote the growth of vascular plants. However, arid environments so not support dense vegetative cover, but are instead dominated by photosynthetic microorganisms, primarily cyanobacteria and lichens. The cyanobacteria not only hold the soil in place, but also are the primary source of fixed nitrogen in arid environments. Disclosed herein, is a description of an apparatus and methods for the production and preservation of a photobiofertilizer as a means for repairing disturbed arid soils.
