By Grace B. Villamor, Meine van Noordwijk, MS Srinivasan, Peter W. Clinton, and Dean F. Meason.
Landowners’ views on how trees and water are related can influence how they use their land and allocate water resources. People usually look at the way trees and water interact from a scientific perspective, considering how different land uses, like growing forests and crops, affect water supply. However, other social factors also play a role.
We used a mix of methods to study how stakeholders and landowners in three areas of New Zealand see trees on farms and the trees’ impact on water. Out of 363 people we surveyed, 70% said there were trees, both native and foreign, on their farms. Commercial and hobby farmers, who directly shape the landscape’s social and water aspects, mostly rely on natural water sources for their farms. Stakeholders mentioned concerns about trees and water, such as climate-induced droughts, the effects of forestry and logging on water, and declining water quality. Landowners keep trees on their farms to increase biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, and provide windbreaks. They also value trees for shading their animals and improving water quality. Our results showed that older landowners, those less worried about water quality, and those who see lower flood risks are less likely to plant trees. This research lays the groundwork for understanding the link between trees and water in New Zealand. However, more research is needed to weigh the benefits and downsides of social and water systems interacting.
Relational Thinking 