[aliswe]

It's not just a lack of trees. It's a lack of soil as well. And the temperatures are really unforgiving. Heard about al rub al khali, ie most of saudi arabia? Who cut down those trees you think?

I'm not saying overgrazing never happened, bit it was not nearly enough to explain the current desolation.

[aliswe]

Also, on the otger hand, check out the al bayda project in saudi arabia, the site of which was a forest just 100 years ago (according to the villagers)