Forests use water. And forests provide water. This relationship between forests and water provokes debate among scientists, land managers, and policy makers. The stakes are particularly high in the Mediterranean region already facing water shortages (especially in its southern and eastern part) or disasters related to flooding.
Forests use water. And forests provide water. This relationship between forests and water provokes debate among scientists, land managers, and policy makers. The stakes are particularly high in the Mediterranean region already facing water shortages (especially in its southern and eastern part) or disasters related to flooding. The demographic and climate projections only increase these issues and stress the importance of taking into account the water-related ecosystem services from forests and integrating the management of both resources. This note builds on the conclusions of the “Forests and Water” session organized during the IVth Mediterranean forest week in Barcelona.This session was designed as a cross-sectoral dialogue on the water-related ecosystem services from forests, and tackled the importance of developing the science-policy, provider-consumer, and policy-people interfaces. The integrated management of water and forest is necessary for sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.
