About this Research Topic
Rates of forest loss and degradation continue to accelerate across the globe and are currently responsible for 17% of the human-induced carbon emissions and for substantial declines in biodiversity. Conservation efforts to reduce deforestation rates are often centered around establishing and managing protected areas (PAs). Yet, evidence suggests that many of the world's PAs are ineffective at halting forest loss or degradation.
The exact patterns and drivers of deforestation within PAs remain unclear. For example, it is not known to what extent activities such as agriculture or infrastructure building contribute to deforestation within the world's PAs and how their contribution varies across regions. Similarly, it is not clear to what extent important characteristics of the PAs, such as those associated with their management objectives, governance regimes, or ownership status are influencing the deforestation patterns and whether their influence differs across the globe.
This Research Topic aims to bring together studies analyzing the patterns and drivers of forest loss and degradation within PAs, over large spatial scales and spanning multiple areas, in an effort to better understand those patterns and drivers. We are particularly interested in: (a) large scale or multiple-site comparisons of deforestation and degradation in PAs of different types and of different periods; (b) studies that explore regional or global interdependencies in the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation; (c) contributions from less commonly studied regions, which synthesize information from multiple PAs.
We welcome analyses based on remote sensing data, investigating, for example, the importance of specific spatial and topographical variables on deforestation rates. We also welcome: (a) analyses that focus on important socio-economic drivers at regional or even smaller scales, e.g., through questionnaires or other social survey methods; and (b) studies that synthesize information across multiple regions using meta-analytical approaches.
The exact patterns and drivers of deforestation within PAs remain unclear. For example, it is not known to what extent activities such as agriculture or infrastructure building contribute to deforestation within the world's PAs and how their contribution varies across regions. Similarly, it is not clear to what extent important characteristics of the PAs, such as those associated with their management objectives, governance regimes, or ownership status are influencing the deforestation patterns and whether their influence differs across the globe.
This Research Topic aims to bring together studies analyzing the patterns and drivers of forest loss and degradation within PAs, over large spatial scales and spanning multiple areas, in an effort to better understand those patterns and drivers. We are particularly interested in: (a) large scale or multiple-site comparisons of deforestation and degradation in PAs of different types and of different periods; (b) studies that explore regional or global interdependencies in the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation; (c) contributions from less commonly studied regions, which synthesize information from multiple PAs.
We welcome analyses based on remote sensing data, investigating, for example, the importance of specific spatial and topographical variables on deforestation rates. We also welcome: (a) analyses that focus on important socio-economic drivers at regional or even smaller scales, e.g., through questionnaires or other social survey methods; and (b) studies that synthesize information across multiple regions using meta-analytical approaches.
Keywords: Deforestation, Protected Areas, Remote Sensing, Carbon Emissions, Forest Loss, Forest Degradation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
