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The document analyzes the Mijares river basin, noting that decreased summer rainfall is linked to land-use changes and is driving aridification. Through 'uncertainty dialogues' with stakeholders, the authors identify three critical barriers to sustainability: the unpredictability of rural abandonment, a lack of technical knowledge for profitable and sustainable forest management to prevent fires, and conflicting perspectives on water allocation between the upper and lower basin. The brief argues that addressing these uncertainties through coordinated dialogue is essential for implementing robust sustainability projects.

The Mijares River basin faces significant environmental threats, including a 56% reduction in summer storms since 1950 and high risks of desertification and forest fires. To address these, the document proposes five targeted adaptation measures: recovering extensive grazing in the headwaters, creating mosaic landscapes, restoring traditional orchards in the upper and middle reaches, maintaining rain-fed crops in the middle reach, and diversifying citrus plantations with sustainable woody crops in the lower reach. Implementation is hindered by fragmented private land ownership (minifundios), rugged terrain, and the loss of traditional knowledge. The brief advocates for a participatory, integrated territorial approach involving payments for ecosystem services and the integration of women and youth into rural employment.