Dry lands
There is little grazing or other agricultural activity in very arid areas, other than close to reliable streams or groundwater supplies – they are too dry. But, there is a long history of occupancy of areas which are semi-arid or seasonally dry. These have often experienced considerable increase in human and livestock numbers since the 1950s. There has also been widespread breakdown of traditional livelihoods and of coping strategies used in times of drought. Vegetation and soil damage is easy to initiate and difficult to remedy. Communications are often poor and people scattered, making provision of services difficult.