Forest definitions require a re-think

Tracking global deforestation is key to the implementation of forest conservation and emissions reduction policies. To make tracking meaningful, the terms forest extent and deforestation must be defined in a way that is simple, transferable, and applicable with existing measurement and monitoring techniques. Tracking global deforestation is key to the implementation of forest conservation and emissions reduction policies. This Comment suggests forest extent and deforestation must be defined in a way that is simple, transferable, and applicable.