Using the Karoo as an example, we discuss past agricultural damage to the arid ecosystems, which iscurrently being followed by environmental changes and biodiversity losses associated with the new roleof desert ecosystems as power factories (gas, uranium, wind and sun energy), mineral resources or retreats from the city. Development-related damage includes road building, vegetation clearing, soilcompaction, water extraction and pollution. We present our views on prospects for ecologically andsocially appropriate rehabilitation to rebuild complex and resilient ecosystems where recovery rate isconstrained by aridity and rainfall unpredictability. We conclude that, to achieve intergenerational equityand conserve unique ecosystems, considerable investment in arid zone rehabilitation is needed to keeppace with the demands of a rapidly growing human population. Keywords: Karoo, land degradation, mining, ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, development.