Researchers at Winrock International have developed a new method to estimate carbon emissions from forest degradation caused by selective logging in tropical regions. The approach measures logging-associated emissions from extracted timber, surrounding forest damage, and infrastructure.
Researchers argue that separate targets for gross deforestation and reforestation would increase progress toward forest conservation and climate change goals. Monitoring changes in forest cover using satellite data is now technically feasible, but resource allocation remains a challenge.
Researchers at Winrock International developed a more accurate estimate of gross carbon emissions from tropical deforestation for the early 2000s. The study found that global emissions from deforestation were approximately one-third lower than previously published estimates, with Brazil and Indonesia accounting for 55% of total emissions.