Restore Pakistan’s forests to prevent floods | Science

Forests comprise less than 5% of Pakistan’s total area (1), and every year more forest area is destroyed by anthropogenic and natural activities. Pakistan’s dwindling forest cover has exacerbated the effects of climate change (2). In June, the country suffered devastating floods that threatened valuable ecosystem resources, including agricultural products, as well as the socioeconomic conditions of millions of people (3). Given the ability of vegetation, native biodiversity, and connected waterways and floodplains to serve as buffers for storms, rains, and floods (4, 5) and mitigate climate change (6), Pakistan and other Asian countries must increase their environmental budgets to prioritize ecosystem restoration.