A policy-driven framework for conserving the best of Earth's remaining moist tropical forests.

ABSTRACT: Tropical forests vary in composition, structure and function such that not all forests have similar ecological value. This variability is caused by natural and anthropogenic disturbance regimes, which influence the ability of forests to support biodiversity, store carbon, mediate water yield and facilitate human well-being. While international environmental agreements mandate protecting and restoring forests, only forest extent is typically considered, while forest quality is ignored. Consequently, the locations and loss rates of forests of high ecological value are unknown and coordinated strategies for conserving these forests remain undeveloped. Here, we map locations high in forest structural integrity as a measure of ecological quality on the basis of recently developed fine-resolutio

SUBMITTER: Hansen AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7529876 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature