CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Desert
Desert Environments
Origin of Desert Environments
Environmental Conditions
Desert Flora and Fauna
Bajada
Population and Community Development and Structure
Oasis
The Biological Productivity of Deserts
Playas
Physical Characteristics of Playas
Arroyo
Geomorphic Evolution
Calcrete
Desertification
The Global Reach of Desertification
Causes and Consequences of Desertification
Four Areas Affected by Desertification
Rangeland
Solutions to Desertification
Chapter 2: Major and Other Notable Deserts of the World
Major Deserts
Arabian Desert
Death Valley
Gobi
Kalahari
The Namib
The Sahara
Takla Makan Desert
Other Notable Deserts
Atacama Desert
Betpaqdala
The Black Rock Desert
Gibson Desert
The Great Basin
The Outback
Great Sandy Desert
Great Victoria Desert
Junggar Basin
Karakum Desert
Karoo
Kavīr Desert
Kyzylkum Desert
Libyan Desert
Lop Nur
Lūt Desert
Moçâmedes Desert
Mojave Desert
An-Nafūd
Negev
Nubian Desert
Nullarbor Plain
Ordos Plateau
Qaidam Basin
Rub‘ al-Khali
Simpson Desert
Sinai Peninsula
Sonoran Desert
Syrian Desert
Ténéré
Thar Desert
Yuma Desert
Chapter 3: Steppes and Scrublands
The Steppe
Physical and Human Geography
Dry Farming
The Emergence of the Pastoral Way of Life
Scrubland
The Origin of Scrubland Regions
Environment
Mallee
Maquis
Biota
Population and Community Development and Structure
Cape Flora
Biological Productivity
Chapter 4: Major and Notable Semiarid Regions of the World
Major Semiarid Regions
The Aral Sea
The Great Plains
Patagonia
Other Semiarid Regions
The Altiplano
The Kulunda Steppe
Llano Estacado
The Mongolian Plateau
The Pampas
The Plateau of Tibet
The Rajasthan Steppe
Conclusion
Appendix
Glossary
Bibliography
Index