Drylands under the Influence of Climate Change and Human Activities

Covering over 40 percent of the Earth's land area and inhabited by more than 38 percent of the world's population, drylands are very sensitive to climate change and human activities. These areas, characterized by low soil fertility, possess a heightened vulnerability to both climate warming and land degradation, due mostly to human activities. Numerous studies have highlighted the expansion of drylands in the context of global warming. Therefore, maintaining the ecological balance and ensuring sustainable economic development of the drylands are critical for the overall global environment and economy.

The escalating drought, exacerbated warming, and rapid population growth are intensifying dryland expansion, resulting in a multitude of potential risks such as reduced carbon sequestration, regional warming, land degradation, and desertification. As environmentally sensitive and economically vulnerable areas, the ecosystems and society in drylands will confront even more formidable challenges in a future warmer world with a rapidly growing population. Hence, there is an urgent need for in-depth exploration and understanding of the change in dryland regions and their underlying mechanisms.

The objective of this Research Topic is to explore the change in drylands and the underlying mechanisms in the context of climate change and human activities. This endeavor will play a pivotal role in enhancing our comprehension and formulation of appropriate mitigation and adaptive strategies, contributing to global stability and sustainable development.

Contributions must improve our knowledge and understanding of dryland change processes and may include topics such as, but not limited to, the following:
• Climate change and dryland expansion
• Hydroclimatic variability in drylands and their underlying physical mechanisms
• Land-air system interactions in drylands
• Past and future changes of weather and climate extremes in drylands
• Changes in water and energy balance and the driving forces
• Modeling the water carbon cycle in dryland ecosystems
• Response of dryland vegetation to climate change and human activities
• Change in ecosystem patterns and enhancement of services in drylands
• Biogeochemical cycles and fluxes, e.g., carbon, geochemistry, and isotopes