Cities in drylands as artificial protected areas for plants

Freshwater is not abundantly available in many parts of the planet. Drylands cover about 41.3% of the face of the earth and support more than 2 billion people. Drylands are susceptible to a wide variety of natural and/or human-driven disasters which could lead to human catastrophes such as famine and huge population displacements. Populated areas prioritize their interests by controlling and diverting the water resources available, consequently, they have negative effects on the delicate natural ecosystems in drylands. Moreover, global warming and desertification threaten the wildlife and force the remaining floral elements to face the dilemma of between migration and extinction. Cities, with their managed and irrigated green spaces are safe havens for many plants. In this paper, the necessity of turning cities in drylands to artificial protected areas is discussed and the various aspects of urban life to serve not only human population, but the endangered plant species are also addressed.