Season 3 of Branching Out: the forest podcast highlights how IUFRO scientists collaborate across disciplines to address emerging challenges through Task Forces. Episode 4, “For the Love of Trees and Water”, explores the forest–water–livelihood–governance nexus, underlining the essential role forests play in maintaining both the quality and quantity of drinking water.
Featuring Task Force co-leads Mingfang Zhang (University of Electronic Science and Technology, China) and Nadeem Shah (Forest Research, Great Britain), the episode examines how climate change, land-use pressures, droughts, and disturbances are increasingly affecting forest ecosystems, water systems and dependent communities.
The discussion emphasises that while halting deforestation remains critical, improved and adaptive forest management can strengthen resilience. Managing forests for water outcomes must also integrate other ecosystem services, including biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration.
A key takeaway is the interconnected nature of forest and water systems: decisions taken in one location can influence water availability and livelihoods elsewhere. This highlights the need for greater awareness among forest managers and policymakers, as well as more integrated approaches to land and water management.
Tune in to Branching Out: the forest podcast or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
