Do deserts have any function on Earth's climate?

Yes, there are a few can think of. 1. Bruce Salem already mentioned the first, desert dust provide dust for rain nucleation. read more

While Water serves as a long term heat reservoir, deserts have a very high albedo. Thus nighttime wind from the sea (not that this only happens if there is a stronger driver in the sea, in general in late nights, the breeze flows from land to sea, not the other way round) loses heat over desert. read more

Deserts cover more than one fifth of the Earth's land, and they are found on every continent. read more

During Earth’s history, dust has been strongly linked with climatic conditions: Ice cores and marine sediments tell us that the ice age world was much dustier than today’s world. Thus dust is both a driver and a passive recorder of climate change under different climatic regimes of the Earth’s past. read more

Video: Desert Biomes: Facts, Climate & Locations This lesson will explore the unique characteristics of a land where water is scarce, the desert biome. In addition, the plants and animals that have adapted to survive in this environment will also be examined. read more

Although some deserts are very hot, with daytime temperatures as high as 54°C (130°F), other deserts have cold winters or are cold year-round. And most deserts, far from being empty and lifeless, are home to a variety of plants, animals, and other organisms. read more