Using 1049 data points across 287 primary studies covering 58 countries, we conducted a meta-analysis of changes in hydrologic process flows across native forests and multiple forms of land use conversion. Our analysis suggests that forests, and especially native forests, uniquely support hydrologic processes. Land use conversion away from forests substantially reduces infiltration by more than 50%, reduces evapotranspiration as a share of precipitation and increases overland flows. Restored forests can improve infiltration and enhance water supply, including in downwind locations. Global calls for increasing the share of reforested landscape restoration areas with native species are strongly supported.image