The information sources listed here provide a comprehensive picture of the social, ecological and economic conditions in the world's drylands rather than elaborating on a specific aspect.

For detailed information on specific properties of drylands ecosystems and the dominant management practices please see the various subsections in the navigation menu.

"Dryland ecosystems have provided many of the plant and animal species that have shaped the development of many cultures and civilizations. Crop species such as wheat, barley, sorghum, millet and cotton have all originated from dryland ecosystems as did animal species such as the horse, the sheep, the goat, the cow, the camel and the lama."