Forests and agrosilvopastoral systems in drylands play crucial ecological, social and economic roles, while improving the environmental sustainability and resilience of landscapes. Home to species adapted to extreme ecological conditions, they provide essential goods and ecosystems services and the means to adapt to climate change, maintain land productivity, regulate water cycle, prevent and combat desertification and increase the resilience of the communities who live in the world’s dryland areas. If well managed and properly valued, forests and agrosilvopastoral systems can help alleviate poverty and contribute to the food security and sustainable livelihoods of two billion people worldwide.
Yet despite their critical role, extensive areas of drylands are degraded or at high risk of further degradation and associated environmental and socio-economic impacts, including desertification, conflict, water and food insecurity, migration and unemployment.
The working group was established as a subsidiary body of the Committee on Forestry during its 22nd Session in 2014.