It applies to articles, maps, photo essays, datasets, newsletters, and social posts produced under our brand.
Last updated: October 11, 2026
Contact: support@desertsoftheworld.com
1) Editorial Independence
The editor decides what to cover and how to cover it. Sponsors, partners, or affiliates do not influence editorial conclusions.
Any material support (funding, travel, or access) is disclosed on-page. Sponsored content, if ever published, is clearly labeled.
2) Evidence & Sources
We prioritize primary sources: peer-reviewed research, government or intergovernmental datasets, museum or academic archives,
and reputable NGOs. Secondary sources (books, atlases, expert interviews) are used for context. Statistics include
units, methods, and collection dates where those details are relevant and available. Where licensing allows, we link to underlying data.
3) Accuracy & Fact-Checking
- Factual claims that affect a reader’s understanding are checked as part of the editorial review.
- Scientific names, coordinates, and figures are checked against at least two sources when suitable independent sources are available.
- Specialized claims involving subjects such as climate, ecology, and geology must be supported by identifiable sources or research records.
4) Corrections & Updates
We correct verified errors promptly. Minor fixes involving spelling, style, or formatting may be made without a public notice;
factual changes that materially affect meaning may receive a dated correction or update notice describing what changed.
Readers can request a correction by emailing
support@desertsoftheworld.com. See our
Corrections Policy for more information.
5) Expertise, Review & Attribution
Content is prepared and reviewed by the site’s editor using sources appropriate to geography, ecology, climate, geology,
and related subjects. When an outside specialist contributes directly to a page, that contribution may be credited by name and role,
subject to consent. Images and maps carry creator credits and licensing information when required or available.
6) Ethical Standards
- We treat local communities and Indigenous knowledge with care and seek appropriate permission when sensitive cultural material is involved.
- We avoid publishing precise locations when doing so could place vulnerable species, archaeological resources, or sensitive sites at risk.
- We do not accept gifts or incentives that could reasonably be seen as influencing coverage.
7) Use of AI & Automation
Drafting or research tools may assist with tasks such as outlines, transcription, organization, or language clarity, but the editor remains
responsible for facts, structure, sourcing, and tone. Unreviewed machine-generated material is not published.
Factual material assisted by automated tools is checked against reliable, human-reviewed sources as part of the editorial process.
8) Visuals, Maps & Data
Cartography and charts identify scale, projection where relevant, and data provenance when that information is available.
Captions may indicate data currency (“Data as of…”) and modeling assumptions. Photo subjects are described accurately;
digital edits should not change the factual meaning of an image.
9) Diversity of Perspectives
We use a range of relevant sources and perspectives where they help explain a subject accurately. Where legitimate scientific debate exists,
the prevailing evidence is represented accurately, while hypotheses, disputed interpretations, or minority positions are identified as such.
10) Transparency & Conflicts of Interest
Financial, commercial, or personal relationships that could reasonably affect coverage should be disclosed.
Relevant relationships may be identified on the affected page or in an author or contributor profile. Material involving a potential conflict
is reviewed with that relationship in mind, and disclosure is added when readers need it to assess the content.
11) User Contributions
Reader comments, photos, or data submissions must be original or properly licensed. By submitting material for publication, contributors confirm
that they have the right to provide it and grant Deserts of the World permission to publish and distribute it with appropriate attribution.
Material that violates site standards or third-party rights may be rejected or removed.
12) Accessibility & Inclusion
We aim for clear language, descriptive alt text, legible color contrast, and accessible interactions. Where a technical term is needed,
it may be defined on first use or linked to an appropriate reference.
13) Contact
Questions about these principles can be sent to support@desertsoftheworld.com.
For information about sourcing and data review, see our
Data & Sources Disclosure.