Management of Vegetation and Soils in Watersheds

Roles of forests in watersheds and in the water cycle as well as ecosystem services related to soil properties, like water retention, are explained. Current and future challenges in watershed management are addressed by developing the comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between soil properties, vegetation management (land use), and the water cycle. Relationship between water and food security, climate change, integrated land use planning and management is stressed. Trade offs and synergies between forestry and water resources management, notably in regions with low/uneven rainfall and high evaporation are discussed. This includes concepts of site-specific and adapted land-uses like agroforestry systems to minimize conflicts and to optimize soil and water based ecosystem services.