Deforestation and forest degradation are influenced by the increasing consumption of goods and services, as well as recurrent droughts mainly caused by climate change. This phenomenon has been accentuated in the arid regions of the planet, where the loss of vegetation, soil erosion, and water scarcity put the productivity and function of forest ecosystems at risk. Furthermore, the loss of forest productivity makes it difficult for the inhabitants of these regions to develop productive activities. In recent decades, vegetation and soil and water conservation practices have been incorporated into forest ecosystems worldwide; therefore, the contribution of scientific evidence on conservation practices allows us to update and design the guidelines for the sustainable management of forests, especially in arid areas where water scarcity hinders sustainable development.

This Special Issue aims to present selected contributions of scientific advances related to vegetation, soil, and water conservation in forest ecosystems of arid areas, with a focus on forest conservation practices, arid lands’ productive potential, cover and land use changes, forest soil conservation, water supply, water scarcity, forest watershed management, forest diversification, forest socioecological assessment, forest plantations and biodiversity, and arid ecosystems affected by climate change.

Potential topics of interest include those listed below, although the Special Issue is not limited to these topics if your submission is in line with the general theme described above:

• Dry forest biodiversity assessment;
• Arid land–land use–land cover;
• Policy and education in arid areas;
• Soil productivity;
• Soil erosion in arid lands;
• Water harvesting in arid lands;
• Watershed management;
• Forest plantations in arid ecosystems;
• Forest socioecological assessment;
• Climate change scenarios.