This comprehensive text examines the drylands of the world and their management. The author begins by describing drylands and assesses the way human societies have evolved in response to the harsh and demanding nature of the physical landscape and by classifying the different human uses of drylands. He classifies the various human uses for drylands and presents detailed case studies illustrating the kinds of management adopted for different purposes which he contrasts throughout the world. Case studies of dryland urban areas are included, a topic which has hitherto been much neglected and which is becoming increasingly important with the rapid growth of many dryland urban areas. He concludes by assessing the likely future of drylands.