  Sand dunes are often covered by vegetation and biogenic crusts. Despite their
significant role in dune stabilization, biogenic crusts have rarely been
considered in studies of dune dynamics. Using a simple model, we study the
existence and stability ranges of different dune-cover states along gradients
of rainfall and wind power. Two ranges of alternative stable states are
identified: fixed crusted dunes and fixed vegetated dunes at low wind power,
and fixed vegetated dunes and active dunes at high wind power. These results
suggest a cross-over between two different forms of desertification.
