Global warming will act as a catalyst for increased aridity and result in an imbalance of soil nutrients and decreased productivity in the world’s drylands, according to new research.

The study was conducted by a global team of scientists and found increased aridity can be associated with an increase in phosphorus and a decrease in carbon and nitrogen in the soil.

More than 200 dryland sites over 16 countries were studied by the team, covering every continent except Antarctica.

41% of the earth’s surface is covered by drylands, supporting 38% of the world’s population. But due to the increase in aridity and growing population, marginal lands will become less reliable yet more depended upon.