This book addresses the evaluation of environmental impacts and services identified in headwaters of different eco-zones around the world. It presents 24 papers selected from contributions to recent meetings of the European Forestry Commission Working Party on the Management of Mountain Watersheds, which is coordinated by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). Through its biennial sessions and inter-session activities, the Working Party focuses on the continuous exchange of knowledge and experience between professionals in Europe and other regions of the world confronted with similar issues.

Broadens our understanding of ecosystem services in headwater catchments

Part I: Headwater Environment and Natural Resources.- 1. Headwater Catchments: Foundation Pillars for Ecosystem Services.- 2. Technical and Ecological Methods to Control the Water Cycle in Mountain Watersheds.- 3. Ecosystem Services Supporting Water Supply Systems.- 4. Ecosystem Services in Headwaters of the Boreal Environment.- 5. Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources in a Snow-dominated Watershed of Northern Japan.- 6. Ecohydrological-based Forest Management in Semi-arid Climate.- 7. Ecosystem Services in African Headwaters.- Part II: Enhancing Environmental Services in Headwaters.- 8. Protective Stands: Lessons from the Past and Today's Challenges.- 9. Headwaters Management Constraints within the Kinneret Ecosystem Services.- 10. Mitigation of Natural Hazards in Mountain Watersheds of Japan.- 11. Environmental Management in the Headwater Catchments of Kiliki River, Nagaland, North East India.- 12. Agro-environmental Sustainability of the Yuanyang Rice Terraces in Yunnan Province, China.- 13. Environmental Security and Headwater Control in Brazil.- Part III: Environmental Services in the Changing World.- 14. Maintaining Environmental Services in Mountain Watersheds.- 15. Prioritizing Adaptation Needs for Ecosystem Services: A Regional Case Study in the Eastern Alps.- 16. Environmental Services in Mountain Catchments Affected by the Acid Atmospheric Deposition.- 17. Impacts of Reclaimed Opencast Coal-Land on Headwater Ecosystem Services.- 18. The Effect of Land Degradation on Ecosystem Services.- 19. Extreme Climate Events and Erosion Control in Headwater Catchments of Serbia.- Part IV: New Challenges for Environmental Education and Active Citizenship.- 20. Ecosystem Services, European Union Policies, and Stakeholders' Participation.- 21. Water Conservation Business Arising from Company's Environmental Responsibility.- 22. Natural Protective Services in Mountain Catchments: Provision, Transaction and Consumption.- 23. Citizens Participation in Ecosystem Services.- 24. Watershed Ecosystem Services and Academic Programmes on Environmental Education.- Conclusion: Headwater Control.- Index.