The impact of tropical forests on local climate: Comparing recent research with conservation practitioner information priorities

Abstract The local‐scale climate impacts of tropical forests (LCIF), such as reducing temperatures and increasing rainfall, are directly relevant to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Strengthening understanding of these local climate benefits can encourage actions to conserve natural forests, with positive implications for climate resilience, economic development, public health and biodiversity. Non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) play a central role in conveying climate research to policymakers and other stakeholders, yet there is limited empirical evidence regarding their knowledge of the local climate impacts of forests, or how this knowledge informs their work. Using the research‐integration‐utilisation model of scientific knowledge transfer, we compared the knowledge needs of environmental NGOs with recent research on the LCIF, with insights into research integration. A semi‐systematic literature review identified 69 publications, mostly multinational studies focussed on tropical South America and Asia. Most publications examine the effects of deforestation, rather than of forest expansion or stable forest cover, on temperature and/or rainfall. Sixteen studies additionally assess outcomes related to biodiversity, human health, economic conditions and agricultural productivity. Knowledge utilisation was evaluated through questionnaire surveys and focus group discussions involving 44 environmental NGOs operating across 24 tropical and subtropical countries. These organisations already engage with research on the local climate impacts of forests, drawing primarily on peer‐reviewed literature and academic conferences. Their principal knowledge priorities concern the local influences of forests on rainfall, temperature and biodiversity. We found strong alignment between climate research outputs and NGO knowledge priorities around the effects of forests and deforestation on local temperature and rainfall. In contrast, NGOs' need for evidence on biodiversity, economic, health and agricultural outcomes is only partially addressed. The decision‐support tools most valued by NGOs are online, map‐based applications offering locally specific information. Policy implications : Improved understanding of forests' local climate impacts can enhance the policy relevance of forest conservation, yet NGOs require more detailed, context‐specific information to apply this science effectively. Developing decision‐support tools that synthesise evidence on the local climate effects of forests, alongside involving NGOs in research, would strengthen local to global efforts to protect tropical forests. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.