The United Nations has called for greater global action to protect dryland forests, which support more than two billion people worldwide.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched a new Call to Action during World Forest Week in Rome.
The initiative calls for better protection, restoration and management of forests and trees in dry regions.
Africanews, citing AFP and the FAO, reported that these ecosystems remain overlooked in global climate and biodiversity policies.
Dryland forests support billions of people
Drylands are areas affected by water scarcity.
According to the FAO, they cover about 41 percent of the Earth’s land surface. They also contain around 27 percent of the world’s forest area.
More than two billion people depend on these landscapes for their livelihoods, food security and cultural identity.
Dryland forests also provide fuelwood, animal feed, wild foods and medicinal plants.
In addition, they protect soil and water resources. They can also provide food and income when crops fail.
Dryland forests face growing pressure
However, many of these ecosystems are under increasing pressure.
Around 25 percent of dryland forest ecosystems are already degraded, according to the FAO.
Land-use changes are among the main causes. These include agricultural expansion, urban growth and unsustainable resource extraction.
Climate change is adding further pressure.
Longer droughts can increase water stress and raise the risk of fires.
The FAO said these problems particularly affect small farmers, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists and local communities. Women and young people are also affected.
FAO calls for more investment
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said dryland forests are important for current and future generations.
However, he said they remain under-recognised, under-monitored and under-financed.
The FAO is therefore calling on governments, donors and other partners to increase investment.
It also wants countries to include dryland forests more prominently in national climate, biodiversity and land policies.
New accelerator proposed
The Call to Action also proposes a Dryland Forest Support Accelerator.
The FAO-backed platform would help countries expand existing conservation and restoration projects.
It would also help governments access long-term funding and improve forest monitoring.
Another goal is to improve cooperation between different sectors.
The platform would focus on identifying national needs, expanding proven approaches and studying the results.
The FAO also wants dryland forests to receive greater attention under international environmental agreements.
It has called for them to be formally recognised as a priority ecosystem under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.