The article reviews different methods for evaluating the water conservation value of forests. The researchers applied four methods to study watersheds in China and found that the results varied significantly depending on the method used. Some methods focused on the potential water storage ability of forests, while others looked at the actual water storage capacity. In arid areas, one method overestimated the water storage ability, while in humid areas, it underestimated it. One method produced inconsistent results and was not recommended for use. Overall, the study suggests that the choice of evaluation method can greatly impact the assessment of water conservation value in forests.