Indicator 6: The impact of water-related forest management on the provision of socio-economic benefits
Forest management that focuses on improving hydrological functions can also provide numerous social, cultural and economic goods and services that meet the needs of local communities. Many such communities, including indigenous people, rely on forest-water relationships for their livelihood, sustenance and well-being. Information on the socio-economic impacts of managing forests for water, including social and cultural benefits, economic opportunities, equity (including gender, youth and minorities) and opportunity costs illustrate how communities can benefit from changes in management practices and policies.
The sub-indicators under Indicator 6 help to monitor the extent to which the management of forests for water-related ecosystem services can deliver cultural, social and economic benefits, based on multiple variables associated with these benefits.