Deserts are too quickly dismissed as hostile environments. Hot, dry, and uninviting, it's often difficult to imagine how a desert could sustain any kind of life. And yet, these drylands rank among the most important ecosystems on the planet. Numerous species of flora and fauna call deserts home, as do nearly a billion people.
Moreover, deserts play a crucial role in the planet's climate. So what would happen if the Earth suddenly lost these unique habitats? For answers, click through the gallery and join a very heated discussion.