What is the role of water in a deserts formation?

Question

What is the role of water in a deserts formation?

Answer 1

There isn't enough to support plants with root structure so when a heavy rainfall event occurs, it washes away top soil and anything else laying on the surface.

Answer 2

desert landscapes are mostly moulded by the wind but water has also played its part. many deserts, including the Sahara once had climates that were far more moist than they have today. this has accounted for some of the features seen in deserts around the world.

although deserts are often completely dry for several years, many centimetres of rain may fall in a few hours during one freak storm. the parched land is then flooded and torrents sweep down gulleys with tremendous erosive power.