An integrated framework for harmonizing definitions of deforestation

Abstract There is currently no consensual definition of deforestation. Given its importance in several research topics ranging from biodiversity to climate change, conservation, restoration, and emerging diseases as well as in comparative studies, it is necessary to provide an integrated framework towards a harmonized definition of deforestation. Here, we analyze and compare international and national reports on deforestation management (e.g., FAO, UNFCCC) and find important differences, including contrasting definitions of deforestation and conceptual ambiguities. We also present a straightforward, harmonized definition of deforestation that is linked to a specific methodology for decision-making studies. This proposal can contribute to informed decision-making on studies related to deforestation.

• Publication year

  2021

• Venue

  Environmental Science & Policy

• Publication date

  Unknown publication date

• Fields of study

  Geography, Environmental Science

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1016/j.envsci.2020.10.007
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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