dryland

Drylands, characterized by a scarcity of moisture, are environments where precipitation is insufficient to meet the needs of plants due to high evapotranspiration rates. These regions, often found in subtropical areas, experience low humidity, high temperatures, and winds, with annual rainfall typically below 400 mm.1

Desertification is the degradation of these drylands, reducing their biological productivity. This process can be caused by climate change, deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable land-use practices. It affects not only deserts but also grasslands and scrublands, impacting millions of people globally and leading to issues like crop failure, loss of forage, and increased flooding.2

Desert ecosystems host unique adaptations. Plants may survive by becoming dormant, storing water, or having deep root systems. Many are ephemerals, completing their life cycle rapidly after rains. Animals often exhibit adaptations like dormancy or nocturnal activity to cope with arid conditions.34