Desert vs. Wilderness — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
A desert is a barren area with little precipitation, while a wilderness is a wild, undeveloped area regardless of climate.
Difference Between Desert and Wilderness
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Key Differences
The term desert typically refers to a barren area of land where little precipitation occurs, resulting in sparse vegetation. Deserts are often characterized by extreme conditions, either hot, like the Sahara, or cold, like Antarctica. They are known for their challenging living conditions, mainly due to water scarcity.
Wilderness, in contrast, refers to a natural environment that is largely untouched by human development. It can encompass various landscapes, including forests, mountains, and even some deserts. The key aspect of wilderness is its pristine state, often protected for ecological and conservation purposes.
While deserts are defined by their aridity and extreme weather conditions, wilderness areas are defined by their lack of human alteration. A wilderness can be lush and teeming with life, highlighting its contrast to the typically life-sparse desert. Wilderness areas are often associated with diverse ecosystems and wildlife.
One can find deserts within wilderness areas, but not all wilderness areas are deserts. The difference lies in the ecological and environmental characteristics. Deserts emphasize the climatic and geographical aspects, while wilderness focuses on the natural and unspoiled nature of the landscape.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Barren, arid land
Natural, unspoiled area
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Climate
Often extreme
Varies widely
Vegetation
Sparse
Can be dense
Human Influence
Minimal
Almost none
Examples
Sahara, Gobi
Yellowstone, Amazon
Compare with Definitions
Desert
A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to the processes of denudation.
Wilderness
Unspoiled natural area
The wilderness was teeming with wildlife.
Desert
Of, relating to, characteristic of, or inhabiting a desert
Desert fauna.
Wilderness
Habitat for diverse species
The wilderness supports biodiversity.
Desert
To leave empty or alone; abandon.
Wilderness
Human-free zone
The deep wilderness felt serene and untouched.
Desert
(figuratively) Any barren place or situation.
Wilderness
Protected natural space
This wilderness is a national park.
Desert
To leave (anything that depends on one's presence to survive, exist, or succeed), especially when contrary to a promise or obligation; to abandon; to forsake.
You can't just drive off and desert me here, in the middle of nowhere.
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildlands (usually in the plural), are natural environments on Earth that have not been significantly modified by human activity or any nonurbanized land not under extensive agricultural cultivation. The term has traditionally referred to terrestrial environments, though growing attention is being placed on marine wilderness.
Desert
Of or pertaining to a desert; forsaken; without life or cultivation; unproductive; waste; barren; wild; desolate; solitary; as, they landed on a desert island.
He . . . went aside privately into a desert place.
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
Wilderness
A large tract of land that has not been significantly affected by human activities.
Desert
To leave (especially something which one should stay by and support); to leave in the lurch; to abandon; to forsake; - implying blame, except sometimes when used of localities; as, to desert a friend, a principle, a cause, one's country.
Wilderness
A tract of land officially protected from development and other high-impact human activities.
Desert
To abandon (the service) without leave; to forsake in violation of duty; to abscond from; as, to desert the army; to desert one's colors.
Wilderness
A barren or desolate area; a wasteland.
Desert
Abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous
We feel our public representatives have deserted us
Wilderness
Something characterized by bewildering vastness, perilousness, or unchecked profusion
A wilderness of unknown city streets.
A wilderness of voices.
Desert
A waterless, desolate area of land with little or no vegetation, typically one covered with sand
The desert of the Sinai peninsula is a harsh place
Drought and deforestation are turning fragile grasslands into desert
Wilderness
A state of neglect, powerlessness, or disfavor
"The failure of the Clinton health plan in 1994 opened the door to the Republicans' capture of Congress after forty years in the wilderness" (Jacob S. Hacker).
Desert
A flock of lapwings
A desert of lapwings rises from a ploughed field
Wilderness
(uncountable) Uncultivated and unsettled land in its natural state inhabited by wild animals and with vegetation growing wild; (countable) a tract of such land; a waste or wild.
Desert
Like a desert
Overgrazing has created desert conditions
Wilderness
(by extension)
Desert
A dry, often sandy region of little rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation.
Wilderness
(countable) A place other than land (for example, the air or sea) that is uncared for, and therefore devoted to disorder or wildness.
Desert
A region of permanent cold that is largely or entirely devoid of life.
Wilderness
An ornamental part of a garden or park cultivated with trees and often a maze to evoke a natural wilderness.
Desert
An apparently lifeless area of water.
Wilderness
Unrefinedness; wildness.
Desert
An empty or forsaken place; a wasteland
A cultural desert.
Wilderness
Chiefly followed by of: a bewildering flock or throng; a large, often jumbled, collection of things.
Desert
(Archaic) A wild and uninhabited region.
Wilderness
A place or situation that is bewildering and in which one may get lost.
Desert
Often deserts Something that is deserved or merited, especially a punishment
They got their just deserts when the scheme was finally uncovered.
Wilderness
Often preceded by in the: a situation of disfavour or lack of recognition; of a politician, political party, etc.: a situation of being out of office.
Desert
The state or fact of deserving reward or punishment.
Wilderness
A tract of land, or a region, uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings, whether a forest or a wide, barren plain; a wild; a waste; a desert; a pathless waste of any kind.
The wat'ry wilderness yields no supply.
Desert
To withdraw from, especially in spite of a responsibility or duty; forsake
Deserted her friend in a time of need.
Wilderness
A disorderly or neglected place.
Desert
To abandon (a military post, for example) in violation of orders or an oath.
Wilderness
Quality or state of being wild; wildness.
These paths and bowers doubt not but our joint hands.Will keep from wilderness with ease.
Desert
To forsake one's duty or post, especially to be absent without leave from the armed forces with no intention of returning.
Wilderness
A wild and uninhabited area
Desert
That which is deserved or merited; a just punishment or reward.
Wilderness
Uncultivated land
They hiked through dense wilderness.
Desert
A barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.
Desert
Usually of a place: abandoned, deserted, or uninhabited.
They were marooned on a desert island in the Pacific.
Desert
To leave one's duty or post, especially to leave a military or naval unit without permission.
Anyone found deserting will be punished.
Desert
That which is deserved; the reward or the punishment justly due; claim to recompense, usually in a good sense; right to reward; merit.
According to their deserts will I judge them.
Andronicus, surnamed PiusFor many good and great deserts to Rome.
His reputation falls far below his desert.
Desert
A deserted or forsaken region; a barren tract incapable of supporting population, as the vast sand plains of Asia and Africa which are destitute of moisture and vegetation.
A dreary desert and a gloomy waste.
Desert
A tract, which may be capable of sustaining a population, but has been left unoccupied and uncultivated; a wilderness; a solitary place.
He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord.
Before her extendedDreary and vast and silent, the desert of life.
Desert
To abandon a service without leave; to quit military service without permission, before the expiration of one's term; to abscond.
The soldiers . . . deserted in numbers.
Desert
An arid region with little or no vegetation
Desert
Leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch;
The mother deserted her children
Desert
Desert (a cause, a country or an army), often in order to join the opposing cause, country, or army;
If soldiers deserted Hitler's army, they were shot
Desert
Located in a dismal or remote area; desolate;
A desert island
A godforsaken wilderness crossroads
A wild stretch of land
Waste places
Desert
Arid land
The Sahara Desert is vast and hot.
Desert
Sandy landscape
Camels are common in the desert.
Desert
Sparse vegetation area
Plants in the desert are drought-resistant.
Desert
Extreme climate region
Surviving in the desert requires preparation.
Desert
Water-scarce zone
Oases are rare in the desert.
Desert
Wild and uninhabited
A desert island.
Common Curiosities
Do people live in deserts?
Yes, in adapted ways.
Can wilderness include urban areas?
No, it's natural and unspoiled.
Is wilderness always forested?
No, it varies in landscape.
Is wilderness only found in remote areas?
Mostly, but not exclusively.
Are deserts always sandy?
No, some are rocky.
Are wilderness areas protected by law?
Often, to preserve their state.
Does wilderness support human activities?
Limited, to maintain its state.
Are all deserts hot?
No, some are cold.
Can deserts be part of wilderness areas?
Yes, if they are unaltered.
Does wilderness have to be large?
Generally, but size can vary.
Do deserts have biodiversity?
Yes, but less than other ecosystems.
Is camping allowed in wilderness areas?
Sometimes, with restrictions.
Can deserts be artificially created?
Yes, through desertification.
Can a desert be fertile?
Rarely, usually near water sources.
Are all dry places deserts?
No, aridity is just one factor.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
