Crossword Genius

One marsh to north in vast arid expanse (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gobi

'vast arid expanse' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'one marsh to north' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'marsh' becomes 'bog' (I've seen this before).
'to north' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'i'+'bog'='ibog'
'ibog' written backwards gives 'GOBI'.

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for gobi that I've seen before include "Asian desert region" , "Mongolian/Chinese desert" , "vast arid expanse" , "Desert of central China" , "Desert, cauliflower in Indian cuisine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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