A benchmark for how different disturbances influence the loss and recovery of carbon and CO₂ in tropical forests

Tropical moist forests account for 70% of global living biomass. Deforestation and degradation—that is, the partial damage to tree stands—as well as the subsequent regeneration of forests therefore play a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle. While the effects of large-scale tropical deforestation are well understood, the impacts of forest degradation have remained highly uncertain until now.