Forest and Water on a Changing Planet: Vulnerability, Adaptation and Governance Opportunities. A Global Assessment Report. IUFRO World Series Volume 38

This report entitled “Forest and Water on a Changing Planet: Vulnerability, Adaptation and Governance Opportunities” presents the outcomes of the sixth global scientific assessment undertaken in the framework of GFEP. All assessment reports are prepared by internationally recognised scientists from a variety of biophysical and social science disciplines. The publications are presented to stakeholders across relevant international policy fora. In this way, GFEP supports a more coherent policy dialogue about the role of forests in addressing the broader environmental, social and economic challenges reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The current report reflects the importance of integrated action towards ensuring access to water for all and sustaining life on land. The provision of clean water is the most basic ecosystem service necessary for life on earth. Yet, growing demand for water caused by an increasing human population, combined with adverse effects of climate change, are creating unprecedented challenges for sustainable development.
Forests influence water resources in multiple ways, and at multiple levels. Whereas the interplay between forests and climate is regularly considered in decision-making, that between water and forests remains under-represented. Today, the fact that the world has mobilised around the seventeen SDGs, all of which have a connection to water, provides a crucial argument for paying more attention to the forest-water link.