The ARID Scoping Study Final Report

ARID is one of the two scoping studies funded by NASA in 2023 to identify the scientific questions and develop the initial study design and implementation concept for a new NASA Terrestrial Ecology field campaign. This report emphasizes a prioritized research agenda and an initial implementation plan, focusing on the western U.S. to deepen our understanding of national dryland processes and resources.

ARID is also leveraging an extensive network of international sites and collaborators in Africa, Australia, Mexico, and South America. This global approach facilitates the evaluation, monitoring, and forecasting of drylands worldwide, ensuring a coordinated effort to address and inform solutions for the challenges facing these critical ecosystems. ARID will use cutting-edge approaches to address four Science Themes: 1) Climate Variability and Drought, 2) Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Biodiversity, 3) Carbon Cycle Interannual Variability and Long-Term Trends, and 4) Social-Ecological Systems.