‘The Difference a Tree Can Make’

The role of trees, forests and agroforests in preventing or enhancing risks of floods, landslides and seasonal water shortages is controversial. The debate, and the science that informs that debate, remains quite polarized. On one hand, many advocates of forest protection and afforestation draw upon received wisdom about the importance of forests for various watershed functions, from flood mitigation to water purification. Policy pronouncements and tree planting programmes across the world have been based on uncritical appeals to this received wisdom.

This debate is poised to intensify as problems of water scarcity become more acute, human populations grow, economic growth progresses, and climate patterns destabilize contributing to water scarcity and erratic rainfall patterns across the tropics, and an increased risk of floods and landslides.

As a leader in integrating sound science, practical understanding of rural livelihoods and policy processes for better watershed management across the tropics, The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) possesses an untapped potential to influence current policy debates and guide future research agendas in the arena of watershed management.

In 2006, ICRAF committed itself to 'The Difference a Can Make' campaign to develop and disseminate information that aptly synthesizes past and current research results pertaining to tree-water-soil interactions.

Goals

• Synthesis of ICRAF’s existing watershed management research into clear, concise watershed management messages
• Increased visibility of ICRAF’s watershed management research through the creation and promotion of a multi-media set of communications products that can be used as global resources
• Encourage efficient and effective internal communication of watershed management research

Activities  Communication Products