Plenary session. Understanding the ecology and biogeography of global drylands

Authors:
Fernando T. Maestre

Publication Date:
2021

Abstract/Summary:
Substantial research efforts are being devoted in the last decades to understand the ecology of major biomes and ecosystem types across large spatial scales and to use this knowledge to improve restoration actions. However, large-scale field studies have largely carried out in ecosystems other than drylands, which cover ~45% and host over 40% of the global population. In this lecture I will illustrate with examples from our research how advances on our understanding of the ecology of biogeography of drylands at the global scale can inform restoration efforts carried out in these ecosystems, something key to halt land degradation in these areas, mitigate climate change impacts and guarantee the supply of essential ecosystem services to more than 2 billion people in a rapidly changing world.

Resource Type:
Conference Presentation

Pre-approved for CECs under SER's CERP program

Source:
SERE2021