[8] Those growing in arid regions have evolved highly efficient physiological mechanisms that enable them to survive despite limited water availability.
[16][17][5][12] For example, in the dunes of the Sahara Desert, psammophyte communities exhibit limited diversity and are predominantly made up of plants from the grass and mustard families.
[5] Like many other types of plants, psammophytes can have symbiotic relationships with microorganisms called endophytes that live inside of their tissues, which can impart enhanced growth or other benefits.
[18] A major threat to psammophytes in many regions is dune destabilization, which is exacerbated by human development projects and factors associated with climate change, such as drought and temperature increases.
[19] China's Minqin Garden of Desert Plants is one organization that is actively working on efforts to conserve both wild and horticultural psammophyte species.