Dryland systems are ecosystems characterised by a lack of water. They include cultivated lands, scrublands, shrublands, grasslands, savannas, semi-deserts and true deserts. The lack of water constrains the production of crops, forage, wood, and other ecosystem services. 'The issue deserves attention because it impacts on more than one billion people's livelihoods', says Moujahed Achouri, Chief, Forests Conservation at FAO. (Photo)