nondeforestation

Nondeforestation is the practice or policy of maintaining existing forest cover by preventing the conversion of forest land to non-forest uses and by limiting degradation of forest ecosystems. It is used as a counterpoint to deforestation, the removal of forests or permanent conversion to agriculture, urban areas, or infrastructure. In policy and governance, nondeforestation is pursued through protected areas, sustainable forest management, land-use planning, legal frameworks, and enforcement against illegal logging, land grabs, and unsustainable commodity production. It is often a component of climate change mitigation strategies because forest loss releases substantial greenhouse gases, while preserving forests maintains carbon stocks.

Measurement typically relies on satellite imagery and national accounting to track changes in forest area and canopy cover, with metrics such as net forest loss or forest area change. However, definitions of what counts as forest can vary by country, complicating comparison.

Nondeforestation also encompasses forest restoration and afforestation strategies to recover degraded landscapes, though these are not the same as preserving existing forests. Implementation faces challenges including land rights conflicts, economic incentives for conversion of land for agriculture, governance capacity, and leakage, where deforestation is displaced to other areas.

In practice, nondeforestation policies are often linked to broader efforts such as sustainable supply chains (certification schemes), Indigenous and community land stewardship, and international initiatives like REDD+ that aim to reward measured reductions in deforestation.