Drylands under pressure: Science and solutions for global stability
Ismahane Elouafi
Abstract
Drylands are the backbone of global agriculture, supporting 44% of the world's farming. Yet, they are under siege. Climate change, land degradation, and water scarcity are transforming these essential regions into barren landscapes, threatening the livelihoods of nearly three billion people. These lands, which already face some of the harshest conditions on Earth, are warming faster than other parts of the planet. Their decline imperils food security, biodiversity, and stability across vast swaths of the globe.
Topics & Concepts
LivelihoodAgricultureBiodiversityEcological stabilityFood securityGlobal warmingClimate changeNatural resource economicsGlobeFace (sociological concept)Deforestation (computer science)ScarcityWater scarcityEnvironmental degradationGeographyAgroforestryEnvironmental scienceEcologyEconomicsBiologyArchaeologyComputer scienceProgramming languageNeuroscienceMicroeconomicsSocial scienceSociologyAgriculture Sustainability and Environmental ImpactSoil Carbon and Nitrogen DynamicsRangeland Management and Livestock Ecology