1

The sand is mildly caustic; all habitats are underground

2

The desert sands cause mild hallucinations or mental tics

3

Local organisms actively destroy open water

4

Pretech effects confuse all tech navigation in the desert

5

The desert is mildly radioactive

6

Giant sandchinchillas or similar lethal abominations

7

The terrain often gives way into pits or toxic sumps

8

Ancient guardian bots attack "intruders" relentlessly