This open access book prepared by a joint working group committed to critical research on
dryland social-ecological systems (SESs) presents a timely synthesis of up-to-date knowledge in
various thematic fields relevant to dryland SESs. It aims to organize key salient concepts and
establish a conceptual framework relevant to the interdisciplinary and cross-cultural
understanding of dryland SESs which have specific contexts and a geographically representative
structure. Through synthesizing research across the world and analyzing scientific evidence for
good practices it has the potential to promote collaboration among global researchers as well
as communication with policy makers managers and practitioners for dryland ecosystem
management to promote sustainability. It calls for synergies between different sectors and
countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals in drylands.
