A group working in desert (7)
I believe the answer is:
abandon
'desert' is the definition.
('abandon' can be a synonym of 'desert')
'a group working' is the wordplay.
'group' becomes 'band' (band is a kind of group).
'working' becomes 'on'.
'a'+'band'+'on'='ABANDON'
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for abandon that I've seen before include "Forsake - careless freedom" , "Permanently desert" , "Jettison" , "Kick" , "Desert or yield without restraint" .)