Desert pavements: A hidden key to Earth surface processes

Abstract Desert pavements are a global phenomenon in arid environments, representing one of the most extensive geomorphological and geoecological features on Earth. To a large extent, they determine the interplay of key processes governing current and past landscape dynamics including landform evolution, surface runoff, soil water dynamics, weathering and soil formation, microbial processes, dust deposition and entrainment into the atmosphere. Hence, desert pavements and their future trajectories of change have a strong local to global impact on coupled Earth system components. However, knowledge of the comprehensive role that desert pavements play in the Earth surface–atmosphere system is still limited, and a profound interdisciplinary understanding of their evolution, spatial extent, microbiological processes, and inherent environmental feedback mechanisms is lacking. This article provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of desert pavements as an important Earth system component and offers an interdisciplinary perspective on the key processes interacting within desert pavements, which improves our understanding of the role and importance of desert pavements within the Earth system.