Regions with semi-arid climates

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Ever wondered about those vast spaces between deserts and grasslands? These are semi-arid regions – not quite desert, not quite prairie, but incredible places that shape life across continents.

These are semi-arid regions, covering approximately 46 million square kilometers (17.8 million square miles) of Earth’s land surface.

According to the Köppen climate classification system, semi-arid climates are divided into two types:

Hot Semi-Arid Climate (BSh):

• Average annual temperature above 18°C
• Located closer to the equator
• Examples include the Sahel region and parts of India

Cold Semi-Arid Climate (BSk):

• Average annual temperature below 18°C
• Found mainly in continental interiors
• Examples include the U.S. Great Plains and Kazakhstan steppes

Economic Impact

These regions play a crucial role in global agriculture. According to FAO data, the world’s semi-arid regions contribute significantly to global food production:

• The U.S. Great Plains produce approximately 20% of global wheat exports
• Australia’s semi-arid zones support over 65 million sheep, making it one of the world’s largest wool producers
• Kazakhstan’s steppes support 7.4 million cattle and contribute to 70% of Central Asia’s grain production.

Changes Over Time

Research published in Climate Dynamics shows significant changes in semi-arid regions between 1948 and 2008. The area of semi-arid regions increased by 7% when comparing 1990-2004 to 1948-1962. This expansion added approximately 1.6 million km² globally, with 0.4 million km² in the Americas and 1.2 million km² in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Interestingly, the pattern of semi-arid expansion differs between hemispheres. According to Climate Dynamics research, in the Americas, new semi-arid regions emerged from former arid areas that became wetter. However, in the Eastern Hemisphere, semi-arid zones replaced previously sub-humid and humid regions that became drier. The study notes this drying in East Asia is primarily linked to a weakened East Asian summer monsoon, while in North America, the changes relate to enhanced westerly

Semi-arid regions are particularly vulnerable to climate fluctuations, and according to the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, semi-arid regions as areas requiring special attention for climate adaptation strategies.

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Have you noticed changes in your local semi-arid region? Share your observations in the comments below.