General
Governing the Global Commons: Linking Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity Conservation in Tropical ForestsBackgroundClimate change and biodiversity loss are two of the most pressing global environmental challenges, yet they are often addressed through separate international frameworks. Scientific evidence shows that these issues are interconnected, especially in tropical forests. Despite this overlap, carbon finance mechanisms like the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) have historically excluded efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation (REDD), focusing instead on afforestation and reforestation. This article explores the potential for aligning carbon sequestration goals with biodiversity conservation through incentive-based mechanisms, with particular emphasis on tropical forests. Open access copy available |
Could Payments for Forest Carbon Contribute to Improved Tropical Forest Management?BackgroundThe study is motivated by the debate over whether carbon finance can incentivize better logging practices, particularly in areas where conventional, unregulated logging leads to significant environmental degradation. Under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), industrialized countries can finance carbon sequestration projects in developing countries to meet part of their emissions reduction commitments. However, it also raises concerns that such mechanisms could allow developed countries to avoid reducing their fossil fuel emissions. This paper examines whether payments for forest carbon could support improved natural forest management (NFM) in tropical regions. Open access copy available |
Forests as Capital: Financial Mechanisms for Tropical Forest ConservationBackgroundDespite global conservation efforts, recent data suggests deforestation has accelerated, with tropical regions accounting for the majority of global forest loss. Financial investment in conservation and sustainable forest management (SFM) is currently insufficient, with estimates indicating that funding may need to increase by up to ten times to effectively address forest degradation. This article explores a diverse array of financial mechanisms—including REDD+, sustainability certification, ecological compensation, community forestry, and official development assistance—that aim to treat forests as economic capital to attract investment for conservation and SFM. Open access copy available |
Carbon Prospecting in Tropical Forests for Climate Change MitigationBackgroundNature-based climate solutions, such as protecting and restoring forests, have gained prominence in global climate mitigation strategies. However, the supply of high-quality carbon credits derived from forest protection projects is lagging behind the rapidly growing demand. One key challenge is the lack of data to guide investment in forest carbon projects, especially in identifying areas where carbon protection would be both environmentally effective and financially viable. This study assesses the global potential of tropical forest conservation to generate investible carbon credits and quantifying the return-on-investment for forest carbon projects under current and projected carbon market conditions. Open access copy available |
Livestock production and the global environment: Consume less or produce better?BackgroundThe global demand for livestock products is increasing rapidly, particularly in developing countries. While livestock production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land use changes, and nitrogen cycle disruptions, the environmental impact of the sector can be mitigated through improvements in production efficiency. This study evaluates the potential for reducing livestock’s global environmental impact by shifting to more efficient production systems rather than focusing solely on reducing consumption. Open access copy available |
Quantifying the Impacts of Defaunation on Natural Forest Regeneration in a Global Meta-AnalysisBackgroundIntact forests provide critical ecosystem services, such as carbon storage and climate regulation, which are heavily dependent on interactions between woody vegetation and animal species. However, defaunation is altering these interactions at a global scale. While previous studies have explored the effects of defaunation on individual ecosystems, a comprehensive global analysis quantifying its impact on natural forest regeneration has been lacking. This study conducts a meta-analysis to assess how vertebrate loss influences forest regeneration across multiple regions and ecosystems, identifying key taxonomic groups and ecological processes most affected by defaunation. Available with subscription or purchase |
The social and ecological costs of reforestation. Territorialization and industrialization of land use accompany forest transitions in Southeast AsiaBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Reimagine fire science for the AnthropoceneBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Navigating power in conservationBackgroundConservation has traditionally centered on the natural sciences, but there is a growing recognition that it also deeply involves people and society. As a result, conservation efforts constantly navigate power dynamics, often without fully acknowledging them. Conservationists wield power when they decide which animals or plants to protect, where to focus their efforts, and how to implement them. Recognizing these power dynamics is essential for making conservation more effective, fair, and just. However, many conservationists either overlook or misunderstand the concept of power. Open access copy available |
Placing diverse knowledge systems at the core of transformative climate researchBackgroundEffective solutions-oriented research values both the process and the outcomes, recognizing that genuine partnerships across knowledge systems emerge within broader political shifts. Yet, international environmental organizations often exclude non-Western knowledge from their frameworks, reinforcing epistemic injustices that mirror social and political inequalities. Transformative change in addressing the climate crisis demands a critical examination of how knowledge and power interact, ensuring the integration—not marginalization—of diverse perspectives. Open access copy available |
