The objective of this paper is to examine the spatial variability of islands of enhanced hydrologic
activity and its application to remediation of degraded arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Factors
causing high spatial variability of water in arid regions include precipitation, soil, physiography, and
vegetation. Inherent heterogeneity of arid lands causes areas of runoff and run-on which lead to
development of islands of hydrologically enhanced biotic productivity. These hydrologic islands are
observed at the individual plant scale as well as in large area patterns of banded vegetation, playettes and playas, and beaded drainage networks where run-on and infiltration stimulate vegetation
growth. To remediate degraded rangeland, it may be prudent to mimic nature by diverting water to
target areas to create patterns similar to natural islands of hydrologically enhanced biotic
productivity. Installation of structures such as water ponding dikes can promote changes to natural
vegetation patterns at a landscape scale.