Before revision:  Here, we review existing theories for vegetation URLanization and their conflicting ecosystem-level predictions . We discuss ways to reconcile these predictions . We focus on the mechanistic differences among models, which can provide valuable information to help researchers decide which model to use for a particular system and /or whether it requires modification .
After revision:  Here, we review existing theories for vegetation URLanization and their conflicting predictions about desertification dynamics. We further discuss possible ways for reconciling these predictions and potential empirical tests via manipulative experiments to improve our understanding of how vegetation URLanizes and better predict the fate of the ecosystems where they form .