Rediscovering the Value of Deserts
Rodrigo Castro, MLWS 2024
Deserts, often misunderstood as barren and worthless, are home to unique ecosystems and human populations that have thrived for thousands of years. Despite their value, deserts are frequently neglected, with the field of eremology—desert science—being largely unrecognized. This neglect stems from a lack of research, inadequate policies, colonial history, land mismanagement, and the impacts of climate change. The paper synthesizes literature on this neglect, emphasizing the socioeconomic importance of deserts and the need for tailored conservation strategies. It also critiques the term "desertification" and the effectiveness of projects like the "Great Green Wall" in addressing land degradation, suggesting that current approaches may be misguided.
