>>2643529A very balanced perspective. I agree.
The desert in Texas (and NM/AZ) has sky islands that are, as you say, one-dimensional woodlands. However, in Texas (and Mexico) these woodlands have cactuses growing in them which excites me (picrel). They are also each unique ecosystems with their own endemic species, hence the island metaphor. The desert floor below seems barren but contains a wide variety of cactuses and native grasses. But it has no shade so I only like to hike it during the winter.
