The Forest–Water Nexus: An International Perspective

Springgay Springgay,Brito Brito,Ramirez Ramirez,Janzen Janzen

doi:10.3390/f10100915

Abstract

Discussions on the relationships between forests and water have primarily focused on the biophysical nature of these relationships. However, as issues such as land degradation affect the ability of forests to provide water-related ecosystem services resulting in water insecurity, the human dimension of the forest–water nexus has become more evident. This has resulted in the identification of the forest–water nexus as an issue that requires urgent recognition within major international policy processes and where knowledge gaps on the global state of the nexus exist. To address this, two major international policy frameworks driving the current development and environment agenda, namely the Sustainable Development Goals and the (Intended) National were analyzed to assess the integration of forests and water in international policy agenda. In addition, data on tree cover and water risks as well as data on forests managed for soil and water protection was analyzed to understand the global state of the forest–water nexus. The results indicate that even though there is no single indicator monitoring forest–water interactions, there are existing indictors that provide partial information on the forest–water nexus, which would be key to measuring progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Furthermore, the research has highlighted increasing political will as well as global trends that could be used to further harness support and include the forest–water nexus in these global policy agenda. As international processes move forward, the methodology presented here provides a way to evaluate progress of global management of forests for water ecosystem services and gives specific areas where further research that integrates the scientific and socio-political spheres is needed. It is hoped that the initial approach presented in this paper serves as a stepping-stone for further action that might result in better management of and policies for our global forest–water resources and their associated ecosystem services.

Highlights

Forests and trees in the landscape are an integral component of the water cycle: regulating streamflow, fostering groundwater recharge and contributing to atmospheric water recycling, including cloud generation and precipitation downwind through the process of evapotranspiration [1]
These multitudes of water-related benefits that forests provide to society are referred to as water ecosystem services of forests, which are important for maintaining healthy ecosystems, landscapes and communities (Figure 1)
The topic of the forest–water nexus has primarily been discussed within the research community focusing on the biophysical nature of forest–water relationships: the quantity and quality of water within and from forests, and how these change over time under different scenarios, including land-use and climate change and management regimes

Summary

Introduction

Forests and trees in the landscape are an integral component of the water cycle: regulating streamflow, fostering groundwater recharge and contributing to atmospheric water recycling, including cloud generation and precipitation downwind through the process of evapotranspiration [1] They act as natural filters, reducing soil erosion and water sedimentation, providing high quality water for human consumption, industry and the environment. The water ecosystem services from forests have come under increasing pressures from growing human population, contributing to tree cover loss, land conversion and degradation, and/or increasing demands for water, which are all exacerbated by climate change This has highlighted the forest–water nexus as a human issue that requires urgent socio-political attention

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion