FAO Says Dryland Forests Support Two Billion People but Remain Overlooked in Land Policy

The hidden economic value of dryland trees

The Food and Agriculture Organization warned during World Forest Week on October 2 that dryland forests and trees help sustain the livelihoods, food security and cultural life of more than two billion people. The agency argues that the ecosystems are not receiving enough attention in climate, land-restoration and biodiversity programmes.

Dryland forests are not necessarily dense green forests. They include trees scattered through savannas and other water-limited landscapes, where households use them for shade, fodder, fuel, food and protection of soil. Their contribution can be overlooked when economic statistics focus on harvested timber or crop output alone.

Why farms depend on trees even in dry areas

Trees can protect cultivated land against wind erosion, contribute organic matter and support livestock systems. But the benefits vary by species, rainfall and management practices. In scarce-water environments, poorly planned tree planting can also compete with crops or groundwater.

That makes locally designed restoration important. FAO's call to action emphasizes creating conditions for existing solutions to work at scale, rather than treating every degraded dryland as a place for identical plantations.

What investment needs to measure

The relevant economic returns include stronger rural livelihoods, healthier soils and land that can continue producing under climate stress. Actual project performance also depends on land tenure, community consent, grazing patterns and long-term maintenance.

FAO's report is a policy call and synthesis, not evidence that a new global financing programme has already paid for restoration of all threatened drylands. The practical question for governments and lenders is how to recognize ecological benefits while ensuring farmers and herders see measurable gains.

Sources and image credit

Original source: https://www.fao.org/geneva/news/details/world-forest-week--fao-urges-greater-investment-and-action-for-the-world%27s-dryland-forests/en

Cover photograph: Pexels. Original image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/acacia-tree-on-the-savanna-18708531/ (illustrative; not the named facility or organisation).