General
Forests as Capital: Financial Mechanisms for Tropical Forest ConservationBackgroundDeforestation continues to accelerate despite global conservation efforts, with tropical regions driving most of the global forest loss. Current financial investment in conservation and sustainable forest management (SFM) remains far below what is needed, with estimates suggesting that funding must increase up to tenfold to effectively combat forest degradation. This article explores a broad range of financial mechanisms—including REDD+, sustainability certification, ecological compensation, community forestry, and official development assistance—that aim to position forests as economic assets 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 forest protection and restoration—play an increasingly central role in global climate mitigation strategies. However, the supply of high-quality carbon credits from forest protection projects fails to keep pace with rising demand. A major barrier is the lack of reliable data to guide investment decisions, particularly in pinpointing areas where forest carbon protection delivers both environmental and financial returns. This study evaluates the global potential of tropical forest conservation to generate investible carbon credits and quantifies the return on investment under current and projected carbon market conditions. Open access copy available |
Livestock production and the global environment: Consume less or produce better?BackgroundGlobal demand for livestock products rises rapidly, especially in developing countries. Although livestock production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land use change, and nitrogen cycle disruptions, producers can reduce its environmental impact by improving production efficiency. This study evaluates whether shifting to more efficient livestock systems offers a viable path to mitigate these impacts, rather than relying solely on consumption reduction. Open access copy available |
Quantifying the Impacts of Defaunation on Natural Forest Regeneration in a Global Meta-AnalysisBackgroundIntact forests provide critical ecosystem services like carbon storage and climate regulation, relying heavily on interactions between woody vegetation and animal species. However, defaunation alters these interactions on a global scale. While previous studies explore defaunation’s effects on individual ecosystems, no comprehensive global analysis quantifies its impact on natural forest regeneration. 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 |
Key challenges for governing forest and landscape restoration across different contextsBackgroundForest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) restores ecological integrity, strengthens climate resilience, enhances human well-being, and increases the productivity of deforested or degraded landscapes. By integrating diverse land uses and restorative actions, FLR balances environmental and socio-economic needs. Global agreements, including the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the Bonn Challenge, recognize its importance. Effective governance—defined by clear rules and inclusive decision-making—plays a critical role in ensuring FLR's success. Open access copy available |
Conservation social science: Understanding and integrating human dimensions to improve conservationBackgroundMany scholars believe that there is an urgent need to integrate social sciences into conservation efforts. Although researchers widely acknowledge the importance of understanding the human dimensions of conservation, social science insights remain underutilized in practice. Open access copy available |
