Code
F02
Sector
Forest
The complete description of the NWRM
Summary

Headwaters are the source areas for rivers and streams, crucial for sustaining the structure, function, productivity and complexity of downstream ecosystems. They are vital to hydrologic cycling as they are one of the main areas where precipitation contributes to surface and groundwater. Headwaters are typically less intensively used than downstream areas. In many headwater areas, extensive agriculture, forests or other semi-natural land cover types predominate. Forests in headwater areas have a beneficial role for water quantity and quality. Creating or maintaining forest cover in headwater catchments is a widely used practice in many major cities including New York, Istanbul and Singapore, as these cities are reliant on headwater forests for drinking water provisioning. Forest soils generally have better infiltration capacity than other land cover types and may act as a “sponge”, slowly releasing rainfall. In areas of high relief, afforestation of headwater catchments can contribute to slope stabilization and may reduce the risks associated with landslides. On the other hand, afforestation of headwaters in dry areas may lead to reduction of water yield.

 

Possible benefits with level
Benefits Level
BP1 - Store runoff
High
BP2 - Slow runoff
High
BP5 - Increase evapotranspiration
High
BP6 - Increase infiltration and/or groundwater recharge
High
BP7 - Increase soil water retention
High
BP8 - Reduce pollutant sources
High
BP9 - Intercept pollution pathways
High
BP10 - Reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery
High
BP11 - Improve soils
Medium
BP12 - Create aquatic habitat
Medium
BP13 - Create riparian habitat
Medium
BP14 - Create terrestrial habitats
High
BP15 - Enhance precipitation
Low
BP16 - Reduce peak temperature
Medium
BP17 - Absorb and/or retain CO2
High
ES1 - Water storage
High
ES2 - Fish stocks and recruiting
Low
ES3 - Natural biomass production
High
ES4 - Biodiversity preservation
Medium
ES5 - Climate change adaptation and mitigation
High
ES6 - Groundwater/aquifer recharge
High
ES7 - Flood risk reduction
High
ES8 - Erosion/sediment control
High
ES9 - Filtration of pollutants
High
ES10 - Recreational opportunities
High
ES11 - Aesthetic/cultural value
High
PO1 - Improving status of biology quality elements
Low
PO2 - Improving status of physico-chemical quality elements
Low
PO3 - Improving status of hydromorphology quality elements
Low
PO4 - Improving chemical status and priority substances
Low
PO5 - Improving quantitative status
Medium
PO6 - Improving chemical status
Medium
PO7 - Prevent surface water status deterioration
Medium
PO8 - Prevent groundwater status deterioration
High
PO9 - Take adequate and co-ordinated measures to reduce flood risks
High
PO10 - Protection of important habitats
High
PO11 - Better protection for ecosystems and more use of Green Infrastructure
High
PO12 - More sustainable agriculture and forestry
Medium
PO13 - Better management of fish stocks
Medium
PO14 - Prevention of biodiversity loss
High

Case studies per NWRM