Abstract

Arid and semi-arid lands are frequently framed as marginal or degradable spaces, yet drylands cover a substantial fraction of the terrestrial surface and support diverse biota, cultural landscapes, and livelihoods. This article redrafts and substantially expands an attached narrative review addressing desert soil ecology, biochar amendments, and mycorrhizal symbioses as foundations for sustainable agroforestry and restoration in arid regions. We synthesis evidence across Earth-system dust biogeochemistry, dryland soil pulse dynamics, biological soil crust functioning, biochar agronomy and stability, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) mechanisms for drought and salinity tolerance. The synthesis highlights three overarching conclusions. First, dust and surface biocrusts are not peripheral phenomena but core regulators of desert nutrient and microbial connectivity, and therefore require protection within any land-management intervention. Second, biochar can improve water retention in sandy soils and ameliorate salinity in salt-affected soils, yet outcomes are heterogeneous and contingent on feedstock chemistry, production conditions, soil properties, and time since application, demanding context-specific design and monitoring. Third, AMF are credible biological tools for enhancing plant stress resilience—including in date palm systems—but inoculation success in deserts depends on compatibility with native communities and on co-management with soil physical amendments and irrigation practices. We integrate these findings into a systems framework for desert agroforestry that priorities native species, water-harvesting micro infrastructure, and, where warranted, the co-application of biochar with tailored microbial inoculate. We also evaluate the climate-mitigation framing of dryland forestation, noting that albedo feedbacks can offset much of the cooling benefit of carbon sequestration, reinforcing the need for locally grounded objectives and rigorous monitoring, reporting, and verification. Permanently enhanced soil directly creates an agricultural economy and food security.

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