Wireless Sensor Networks in Desert Environments: A Systematic Review of Challenges, Solutions, and Research Gaps

Abstract

Observing ecosystems in desert zones is far from simple. Hostile weather patterns combined with limited infrastructure complicate the process of structured environmental monitoring. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have emerged as a promising tool for gathering real-time information in these hard-to-reach places. However, their deployment is constrained by extreme temperatures, energy limitations, communication instability, and security vulnerabilities. This paper presents a systematic review of WSN applications in desert environments using a PRISMA-based methodology. A total of 70 studies published between 2020 and 2025 were analysed to identify key challenges and state-of-the-art solutions. The review covers energy-efficient routing protocols, solar harvesting techniques, adaptive communication protocols, and lightweight security mechanisms, underscoring reinforcement learning's growing role in self-optimizing network architectures. Findings reveal a significant gap between simulation-based studies and real-world deployments, as existing solutions often address challenges in isolation. Furthermore, the trade-off between energy efficiency and security remains underexplored. To bridge the gap between theory and practical application, the study proposes integrating renewable energy sources with intelligent algorithms to enable reliable WSNs in desert environments