Knowra Forest degradation Forest degradation Forest degradation is a decline in a forest’s ecological condition, such as its biomass, structure, or capacity to support biodiversity, without necessarily converting the land to nonforest use.
Selective logging : The removal of selected trees from a forest rather than clearing the entire stand. Removing valuable trees can thin canopies, damage soils, and open access for further disturbance.
Biodiversity loss : A decline in the variety of life at genetic, species, or ecosystem levels. Habitat simplification and disturbance can reduce forest species and ecological interactions.
Forest landscape restoration : The process of restoring ecological integrity and improving human well-being in deforested or degraded landscapes. It combines recovery of forest functions with the needs of people living in affected landscapes.
Deforestation : The conversion of forest to another land use or the permanent reduction of forest cover below a defined threshold. Unlike degradation, deforestation entails forest loss or conversion rather than declining condition alone.
Forest definition : A set of criteria specifying which land qualifies as forest, often using area, canopy, and tree-height thresholds. Different forest thresholds can change which areas count as degraded or converted.
Forest fragmentation : The division of continuous forest into smaller, more isolated patches. Fragmentation exposes remaining forest to edge effects and disrupts ecological connections.
Carbon cycle : The movement of carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, living organisms, and Earth’s crust. Degraded forests often store less carbon and may release stored carbon through damage or decay.
Remote sensing : The collection of information about Earth’s surface using sensors on satellites, aircraft, or other platforms. Satellite observations help detect changes in canopy cover, fire, and forest structure across large areas.
Forest recovery : The return of forest structure or ecological functions after disturbance or degradation. Recovery describes an improving trajectory, the opposite direction from degradation.
Forest degradation assessment : The evaluation of changes in forest condition using ecological indicators and monitoring methods. Assessments must choose indicators that capture degradation beyond visible canopy loss.
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