Dryland landscapes, covering nearly half of the Earth’s ice-free surface, are experiencing lasting change as rising aridity and intensive land use reshape fragile ecosystems. The Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research program (JRN) studies how shrub encroachment replaces perennial grasslands and why recovery of native herbaceous vegetation has proven so difficult. Observations from the Chihuahuan Desert show expanding woody plants, greater exposure of bare soil, and stronger connections to wind and water erosion, trends that mirror challenges across semi-arid regions worldwide. These shifts matter far beyond local ecology. Woody plant encroachment contributes to desertification, affecting livelihoods and community well-being, and influencing global efforts tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Research also shows that drylands play a major role in Earth’s carbon cycle, shaping year-to-year changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Understanding these processes provides knowledge needed to manage land sustainably and protect communities that depend on dryland resources.