: Larger organisms (macrofauna) are often more adapted to aridity than microbes, acting as the primary recyclers in hot, moisture-deprived habitats. The Urban Challenge
Surprisingly, arid areas are not biological wastelands; they often harbor diversity rivaling jungles. aridness
: Aridness is typically measured using the Aridity Index , which calculates the ratio of annual rainfall to potential evaporation. Biological Resilience: "Weird" is Effective : Larger organisms (macrofauna) are often more adapted
: A phenomenon where loss of vegetation cover leads to isolated, highly specialized plants. arid areas are not biological wastelands
Cities in arid regions, such as Phoenix, Athens, and Kabul, face unique existential threats.