The BIODESERT research network, spanning 25 countries across multiple continents, conducted the first global study to examine the variables determining woody species distribution in arid zones. The study, published in *Science Advances*, analyzed livestock management, fire occurrence, climate, and soil.
Professor Fernando Maestre, Director of the BIODESERT research network and Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering at KAUST, commented: "One of the main findings we discovered is that livestock management is as important as climate in explaining the coverage of woody species in the world's arid zones. This includes grazing pressure-how many animals are in grazing plots-and the type of herbivore, whether it's cows, goats, horses, or sheep."
Managing the number and type of livestock in arid areas could support more sustainable production in these ecosystems, which cover nearly half of Earth's land surface. These regions are home to around 2 billion people who rely on livestock production, which depends on available forage. However, grasses in these areas are increasingly being replaced by trees and shrubs.
Lead author, KAUST postdoctoral researcher Lucio Biancari, emphasized the potential to address this challenge: "If climate were the most determining factor, our only option would be to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to curb climate change. This is a complex long-term process, and being global, it often feels distant from local regions. But since livestock management is an equally influential factor, alternative and complementary actions can be proposed at the level of producers and public policies related to production and conservation."
Maestre added that the project is providing valuable data to help producers manage dryland pastures more effectively. "For example, we are identifying areas and environmental conditions under which grazing pressure could be increased without harming the ecosystem, and where it would be detrimental."
Looking ahead, Maestre noted that the project will expand both its academic scope and geographical reach. "We will continue analyzing the data and publishing scientific papers. Additionally, we plan to extend the research network to hyper-arid areas, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula, to deepen our understanding of how grazing pressure affects these ecosystems."
Research Report:Drivers of woody dominance across global drylands
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