Forest Degradation: When Is a Forest Degraded?

Abstract

The concept of forest degradation tends to be addressed in broad terms, and existing definitions are difficult to apply in practice. These definitions are based on a reduction in the production of ecosystem goods and services, but fail to address how, when and to what degree this reduction-which ultimately leads to degradation of a forest-occurs. Generally speaking, degradation is the result of a progressive decline in the structure, composition and functions upon which the vigor and RESILIENCE of a forest is based. A degraded forest is one whose structure, function, species composition, or productivity have been severely modified or permanently lost as a result of damaging human activities. So far, no guidelines have been developed for classification and evaluation of a degraded forest at the stand level, nor are there methodologies for assessing the degree of degradation found. The present work proposes stand-level guidelines for identification of a degraded forest according to a list of structural, compositional and regeneration criteria and characteristics. Emphasis is put on the need for local definitions of forest degradation, and identification of thresholds that determine the points where the processes of degradation finalize into degraded forests. Finally, the present work makes a call to move forwards in sustainable management in order to prevent degradation, and in implementation of restoration or rehabilitation practices in degraded forests.

Intact Forest in Selective Logging Landscapes in the Tropics

“…Although the shape and temporal permanence of intact forest patches in logged landscapes are not considered in our analysis, we recognize that intactness is as multidimensional a concept as forest degradation (e.g., Thompson et al, 2013) and similarly deserving of local definitions (e.g., Vásquez-Grandon et al, 2018). What makes defining intactness particularly challenging is that its dimensions are not all orthogonal, linear, continuous, and constant, nor can they all be objectively delineated.…”

Distinguishing regeneration from degradation in coral ecosystems: the role of value

“…As we have seen already, distinguishing regeneration from degradation requires looking for restoration or impediment of some aspect of the system in question (MacCord and Maienschein 2019;Vásquez-Grandón et al 2018). To determine if aspects of a system have been impeded or restored, a reference point is required.…”

“…Such a reference point is sometimes called a baseline (Vásquez-Grandón et al 2018;Campbell et al 2009;Jackson 2001). They are based, at least in part, on the historical or present behaviour of either the specific system in question, or systems of that type (Vásquez-Grandón et al 2018;Braverman 2020). Regeneration then becomes the movement of some system towards its baseline, i.e.…”

“…In theory, changes which restore aspects of the reef system, such as its functioning or structure, are regenerative (MacCord and Maienschein 2019). Conversely, changes which impede such aspects are considered degradation or damage 1 (Vásquez-Grandón et al 2018). In practice, this distinction is not clear-cut, leading to debates over the status of ecosystems or the desirability of interventions to alter them (Hobbs, Higgs and Harris 2009;Graham et al 2014;Filbee-Dexter and Smajdor 2019;Hoegh-Guldberg et al 2008).…”

An Integrated Spatiotemporal Pattern Analysis Model to Assess and Predict the Degradation of Protected Forest Areas

“…Many human activities are said to be responsible for this degradation. Diverse macroeconomic, demographic, technological, institutional, and political factors are the driving factors for these human activities responsible for forest degradation [74,75]. Fragmentation analysis results at all three patch, class, and landscape levels highlight the decrease in SWS fragmentation.…”