Water and sectoral policies in agriculture-forest frontiers: An expanded interdisciplinary research approach

Major land use changes—such as deforestation and ecological restoration—significantly impact water resources within agricultural-forest landscapes. These changes affect various aspects of the water cycle, including surface water flows, groundwater recharge, water quality, and even rainfall patterns. Interdisciplinary research at the intersection of water and forest systems has advanced our understanding of the biophysical mechanisms that govern the relationship between forest ecosystems and water resources.

In this Perspective paper, we advocate for a broadened interdisciplinary approach to studying water and policy interactions in agriculture-forest frontier regions. This approach diverges from earlier research in four key ways:
(i) it incorporates a conceptual understanding of the “frontier” as a dynamic and contested space;
(ii) it emphasizes agriculture as a central analytical lens;
(iii) it explores the links between water governance and policy decisions; and
(iv) it includes empirical insights from both the Global North and South.

This framework is operationalized through the “Pendulum” model, which conceptualizes agriculture-forest frontiers as shifting over time between phases of resource exploitation and ecological restoration. By applying this expanded approach, we aim to generate deeper insights into the complex and evolving relationships between water systems and policy interventions in these frontier regions, ultimately shedding light on their implications for both people AZ-33 and the environment.