If we cannot define it, we cannot save it: forest definitions and REDD

Abstract

Ambiguous forest definitions may become a major bottleneck in reaching reduced emission on deforestation and degradation (REDD) agreements at and beyond. As a result, forest loss is often not officially counted as deforestation in many countries. Application of agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) accounting rules is discussed which can bypass the need for clear definitions, reduce leakage and promote multifunctional landscapes in an equitable, efficient and effective way. The ground-level implications of the current framing of REDD+ will depend on the operational definition of a forest