Desertification, overexploitation, or soil degradation are some of the topics addressed in this new monograph on the current state of the world's drylands.

This text explores two of the most important economic activities in Latin American drylands: agriculture and mining; as well as the impact of climate change on the availability of water resources and the consequent power struggles.

Livestock grazing modifies and even degrades arid ecosystems, which threatens the sustainability of livestock farming itself.

Drylands contain great biodiversity. Their extension is growing due to climate change, so it is more and more essential to get to know more about them.

The texts in this monograph try to help us to understand the importance of drylands and the need for their development go hand in hand with the protection of their resources.