ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Desert pavement

"Desert pavement" is like the ground in the desert that is really hard and flat.

Imagine if you were walking in a desert, and you came across an area where the dirt was really hard and there weren't any plants or rocks. That's called "desert pavement."

It's made up of little pebbles and rocks that have been pushed to the surface by the wind and rain. These small rocks settle together, and because they're all different sizes, they fit together like a puzzle.

When the wind blows over these rocks, it can't pick them up because they're too heavy and tightly packed together. And because there aren't any plants or other things to disrupt the surface, the rocks can stay in place for a long time.

Desert pavement is important because it helps protect the soil underneath it from erosion. It also provides a hard surface for animals and people to walk on, which can help prevent damage to the delicate desert ecosystem.