The relationship between forests and agriculture is often framed as a trade-off, given the historical impact of agricultural expansion on forests. Yet, growing evidence reveals how forests actively support agriculture—particularly through water-related ecosystem services. These services support rainfed agriculture, improve yields, and regulate temperatures, benefiting both food security and worker well-being. Despite their importance, these contributions are frequently overlooked. This session aim to contribute to shift and enrich perspectives on the links between forests and agriculture through unrecognized and undervalued ecosystem services.
Groundbreaking evidence and on-the-ground insights can help reframe this relationship, fostering greater recognition of forests' vital role in sustaining water resources and agricultural systems. This session will showcase cutting-edge tools, knowledge, and global case studies to inspire a transformative shift in both policy and practice. The session aim to contribute to shift and enrich perspectives on the links between forests and agriculture through unrecognized and undervalued ecosystem services.
Session Agenda:
11:00 Welcome
Moderator – Maria Ölund, Project Manager, Forest, Climate, and Livelihood research network, Focali
Opening remarks
Amy Duchelle – Senior Forestry Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
PART 1 “Forests and water: From complex mechanisms to benefits for agriculture”
This section will highlight the mechanisms behind the benefits that forests provide to agriculture through their impact on the water cycle at different scales as well as how they may also result in trade-offs and synergies.
Global and regional scales: Dr. David Ellison – Senior Researcher, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
National and sub-national scales: Dr. Rafaela Flach – Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute
PART 2 “Forests for agriculture in action”
This section will feature short presentations with examples from around the world on the benefits provided by forest to agriculture through their impact on the water cycle.
Deforestation and reduction of rainy season in Brazil: Dr. Gabrielle Pires, Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil
Restoration and water in Ethiopia: Nesibu Yahya, M&E Manager, WeForest Ethiopia
Extreme heat and worker health: Dr. Nicholas Wolff, Climate Change Scientist, The Nature Conservancy
Agroforestry systems and livelihoods in Burkina Faso: Dr. Aida Bargues-Tobella, AGROTECNIO-CERCA Center, Spain; and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
PART 3 “building bridges across sectors and upscaling”
Interactive panel section on how we can better implement actions that consider the benefits of forests for water and agriculture. Panellists will discuss challenges, cross-sectoral engagement and ways forward to incentivize changes to current practices that are siloed and undervalue the benefits that forests provide for agriculture.
Sara Casallas – Forestry Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Dr. Malin Lundberg Ingemarsson – Research Advisor, Stockholm Internation Water Institute
Julien Noël Rakotoarisoa – AFR100/FLR National Focal Point of Madagascar
Judith Paredes - Director, Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)
Dr. Selorm Kugbega – Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute - SIANI
Closing remarks
Speaker tba
End 12:30
Organizers
The session is hosted by: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and Swedish International Agricultural Network Initiative (SIANI) and arranged in collaboration with Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and Forest, Climate and Livelihood Research Network (Focali).
Registration
Read more about the World Water Week and register here to attend in-person or online.
See the session in the World Water Week program here
Session ID + Location
Online participation: Session ID 12241
In-person: Location: C3, Level 2 at the Waterfront Congress Centre in Stockholm
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