SFM for soil and water conservation
Forests help regulate the water cycle, sustain water supply and maintain water quality. Forested watersheds supply approximately 75 percent of accessible freshwater and provide water to 90 percent of the world’s 100 largest cities. Resilient forest landscapes are an integral part of the water supply solution. Globally, there are approximately 399 million ha of forests primarily designated for soil and water protection, an increase of 119 million ha since 1990. This allocation has been growing steadily, particularly in the past decade.
All types of forests, including those used for production, contribute to soil and water protection to varying degrees. Enhancing these roles often requires adjusting forest management practices to maintain quality, such as biomass, biodiversity, and overall health, necessary for effective soil and water conservation. This might mean that forest owners must forgo some income or incur higher management costs, for example by avoiding harvesting in critical soil conservation areas or adopting less harmful yet costlier harvesting methods. However, the value of forests in providing environmental services to human well-being, health, and economies is increasingly recognized. Payment schemes may also exist or be implemented to compensate forest owners for providing these services.
In 2021, the FAO, USDA, and IUFRO jointly published "A guide to forest-water management" to improve global knowledge about forests' protective functions for soil and water. This report explores emerging techniques and methodologies, offers guidance on managing forests for their water ecosystem services, and provides insights into the business and economic justifications for such management.
