Table 1 A comparison of common differences in perceptions among different ecosystem users about forests and water and potential policy implications
From: Ecohydrological processes and ecosystem services in the Anthropocene: a review
People | Interest in forests | Perception to forest and water relationship | Policy implications |
|---|---|---|---|
Farmers | Competition for land | Trees compete for water; shade reduces crop production | Remove trees for crops |
Foresters | Timber, fuels | Trees = clean water; soil erosion control | Trees are great, the more trees the better |
Hydrologist/climatologists | Important land surface | High water users, soil erosion control | Play a small, but important role in the hydrological cycle |
Hydraulic engineers | Hillslope and bank stability | Climate, not forests control river flow | Neutral, forests not important |
Ecologists | Productivity, Biodiversity | Water as a limiting factor | Forests are key ecosystems |
Land managers | Ecosystem services | Many perceptions, none dominant | Integrated management |