Organisers: Fernando T. Maestre (Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain), César Plaza (Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain) and Carlos García (Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Murcia, Spain)
Abstract
Drylands in dry-subhumid, semiarid, arid, and hyperarid zones are of paramount importance because of their extent, covering more than 45% of the global land surface, and the number of people living there, approximately 38% of the world´s population. Soils are essential for the ability of drylands to provide ecosystem services. In fact, one of the major environmental, economic, and social challenges facing us today is the protection of dryland soils from degradation and erosion processes, which are greatly intensified by the ongoing climate change. The objective of this session is to provide a forum for presentation and discussion of recent studies on the effects of climate change on dryland soils and their biota in both natural and agricultural ecosystems. We aim to include studies from multiple disciplines, and particularly wellcome contributions discussing management strategies to combat soil degradation due to climate change. This session will consist of oral or poster communications and will be open to researchers from any disciplines and career levels.
Session format: Oral and/or poster.