Human degradation of tropical moist forests is greater than previously estimated

Abstract Tropical forest degradation from selective logging, fire and edge effects is a major driver of carbon and biodiversity loss 1–3 , with annual rates comparable to those of deforestation 4 . However, its actual extent and long-term impacts remain uncertain at global tropical scale 5 . Here we quantify the magnitude and persistence of multiple types of degradation on forest structure by combining satellite remote sensing data on pantropical moist forest cover changes 4 with estimates of canopy height and biomass from spaceborne 6 light detection and ranging (LiDAR). We estimate that forest height decreases owing to selective logging and fire by 15% and 50%, respectively, with low rates of recovery even…

• NA
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• EC
  European Commission