akar.earthForest degradation: Definition
What is forest degradation? The EUDR legal definition, how it differs from deforestation, and how degradation is measured in Indonesian forests.
Forest degradation is a reduction in the quality of a forest, such as its carbon stock, structure or biodiversity, without the land ceasing to be forest. Under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), it has a narrower legal meaning: structural changes to forest cover, such as converting primary or naturally regenerating forest into plantation forest or into other wooded land, or primary forest into planted forest.
Why it matters
Degradation can release large amounts of carbon while the land still counts as forest on a map. For carbon markets, degradation from logging, fire and fuelwood collection is a major emission source covered by REDD+ and improved forest management methodologies. For EUDR, wood products must be harvested without causing degradation after the 31 December 2020 cut-off, in addition to being deforestation-free.
How it is measured
- Field plots before and after logging or fire show changes in biomass and structure.
- Lidar and high-resolution imagery detect canopy gaps, roads and skid trails.
- Radar and optical time series pick up fire scars and canopy thinning.
- Under EUDR, operators look at whether natural forest was replaced by plantations or wooded land after the cut-off.
Indonesia and Southeast Asia angle
Indonesia’s natural production forests are managed under concession licences (PBPH), where selective logging, road building and fire can all degrade forest. Peat swamp forest is especially vulnerable to drainage and fire. Timber and pulp exports to the EU need to show that supplying areas were not converted from natural forest to plantation after 2020. See EUDR and wood and improved forest management.
In carbon accounting, degradation is usually measured as loss of carbon stock per hectare within land that stays forest. That broader meaning is used by REDD+ methodologies and differs from the EUDR legal definition.
Common mistakes
- Treating degradation and deforestation as the same test.
- Missing gradual degradation because only annual forest/non-forest maps are used.
- Applying the ecological meaning when the EUDR legal definition is narrower.
See the EUDR forest definition.
Frequently asked questions
Does EUDR forest degradation apply to palm oil or coffee?
The degradation test applies to wood. For the other commodities, the test is deforestation, meaning conversion of forest to agricultural use.
Is selective logging forest degradation?
Selective logging can cause degradation in the ecological sense. Under EUDR, degradation means specific structural changes, such as converting primary or naturally regenerating forest into plantation forest or other wooded land.