: Larger organisms (macrofauna) are often more adapted to aridity than microbes, acting as the primary recyclers in hot, moisture-deprived habitats. The Urban Challenge
: Some plants utilize high calcium levels to strengthen cell walls against desiccation or high salt concentrations to reduce water loss through transpiration. aridness
Surprisingly, arid areas are not biological wastelands; they often harbor diversity rivaling jungles. : Larger organisms (macrofauna) are often more adapted
Cities in arid regions, such as Phoenix, Athens, and Kabul, face unique existential threats. arid areas are not biological wastelands
: Over 2.3 billion people currently live in drylands, a population that has doubled in the last three decades and is projected to reach 5 billion by 2100.