"Version: 20220801"--Title page verso.Includes bibliographical references.1. Overview -- 1.1. Problems and challenges -- 1.2. Hypotheses and questions -- 1.3. Modeling framework -- 1.4. The structure of this book2. Physical processes -- 2.1. Characteristics of semi-arid ecosystems -- 2.2. Water-heat-carbon cycles -- 2.3. The abiotic and biotic properties of semi-arid soils -- 2.4. Land-atmosphe…