The role of agricultural land management in modulating water-carbon interplay within dryland ecological systems

Balancing limited water resources with agricultural demands is a major challenge for global sustainability, particularly in dryland regions. To address this issue, it is crucial to understand how human activities, particularly agricultural practices, affect the balance between water availability and carbon cycling. This review examines the impact of land-use intensity on hydrological and carbon cycles in dryland ecosystems, emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices to prevent soil degradation, erosion, and biodiversity loss. It also explores the water-energy nexus in dryland agriculture, highlighting the importance of integrating sustainable water management with renewable energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions and conserve water. Evidence from field studies, remote sensing, and modeling approaches is reviewed to show how different management strategies can either mitigate or exacerbate stresses on water-carbon dynamics. The effects of these interactions on soil health, plant productivity, and atmospheric carbon concentrations are critically evaluated, focusing on adaptive management strategies to enhance resilience and sustainability. Strategies such as implementing drought-resistant crops, conservation agriculture, and agroforestry are highlighted as essential methods to increase water efficiency and carbon storage. Furthermore, this review discusses the importance of incorporating socioeconomic and policy perspectives to promote practices that align with ecological conservation goals. It identifies knowledge gaps and proposes a multidisciplinary research agenda aimed at optimizing land management in drylands to achieve both agricultural viability and ecological balance in the face of climate change. Understanding the complex relationship between agricultural practices and ecosystem functions is crucial for developing sustainable land management strategies that mitigate environmental degradation and ensure food security.