PubHawk
Ambio September 2016 PMID 26961011

When is a forest a forest? Forest concepts and definitions in the era of forest and landscape restoration.

Robin L Chazdon, Pedro H S Brancalion, Lars Laestadius, Aoife Bennett-Curry, Kathleen Buckingham, Chetan Kumar, Julian Moll-Rocek, Ima Célia Guimarães Vieira, Sarah Jane Wilson

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Mentions

62
Peak: 4 in Sep 2019
across 5 sources since Jul 2017

Extended reach

52,099
potential audience

Total likes

32

Video views

870

Mentions per month

Jul 2017 – Feb 2025

Where it's discussed

  • Facebook26 posts
  • X / Twitter16 posts
  • News15 articles
  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collected discussions show a keen interest in the nuanced questions raised by the article, such as whether plantations constitute forests, and highlight different viewpoints using language that ranges from supportive to questioning. The tone varies from enthusiastic to contemplative, emphasizing the importance of clearer definitions for effective conservation, which aligns with the article's advocacy for context-specific framework and modern monitoring approaches.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of redefining forest concepts, with some expressing support for the article's emphasis on context-specific and nuanced definitions.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high interest, with many referencing the diversity of opinions and the complexity of forest definitions, indicating engagement with the topic.

EngagementModerate engagement

Discussions include mentions of related studies, debates on classification criteria, and calls for more comprehensive guidelines, suggesting moderate-to-deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The posts reflect an understanding that the article could influence policies and research, though the overall influence appears promising but not yet transformative.

Abstract in brief

  • The article explores the evolution of forest definitions, highlighting how traditional policies often rely on broad measures of forest stocks that do not distinguish between natural and planted forests or account for ongoing forest regrowth and restoration.
  • It emphasizes the need for new, context-specific definitions and assessment methods, including modern technologies and participatory approaches, to better understand and monitor forest health, trajectories, and landscape dynamics over time.
  • A conceptual framework is presented to show how various management goals influence which aspects of forest change and landscape context are prioritized for effective forest protection, restoration, and sustainability at both national and global levels.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Gilberto Camara
@gcamara · X

A great paper worth reading: "When is a forest a forest?" (https://t.co/lnEis1fxYf). Shows that conflicting definitions have good reasons to exist. For more on unsupervised clustering, see the ML Bible ("The Elements of Statistical Learning") free to read on the web. (4/4)

Aug 20, 2023 · 4 likes · 2 shares · 10,487 followers View post →
Research Square
@researchsquare · X

What is a forest? Applying only one definition hinders #conservation, management, & restoration efforts. A @SpringerNature study seeks to provide comprehensive guidelines for researchers & policymakers: https://t.co/X7etqB5G7K #InternationalDayofForests https://t.co/BefV54waeZ

Mar 21, 2021 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 16,555 followers View post →
FoRCE
@FoRCEexperiment · X

How should we define a forest? https://t.co/0mGPZl5Vwh

Sep 8, 2019 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 391 followers View post →
Jed Sundwall
@jedsundwall · X

@gcamara I had not seen this paper! Thanks for sending. I love this kind of stuff. Two of my favorites: - When is a Forest a Forest? https://t.co/6du6Yy4iSJ - When is a Forest Not a Forest? https://t.co/qwNL0NuhaE

Feb 17, 2025 · 2 likes · 3,184 followers View post →
Guillermo Castilla
@castillaCFS · X

@YvetteDRoy @mikewulder @DrNASApants @lexcomber Sorry Mike to jump in! For 'forest' as landuse, see https://t.co/tJksosxwXR . For 'forest' as landcover, see https://t.co/EoOrKAuiec

Mar 16, 2021 · 2 likes · 484 followers View post →
Claude Garcia
@ClaudeAGarcia · X

A forest is a forest is a forest... https://t.co/jQ48yLc8to

Sep 8, 2019 · 1 like · 1,005 followers View post →

All mentions

Jed Sundwall
@jedsundwall · X

@gcamara I had not seen this paper! Thanks for sending. I love this kind of stuff. Two of my favorites: - When is a Forest a Forest? https://t.co/6du6Yy4iSJ - When is a Forest Not a Forest? https://t.co/qwNL0NuhaE

Feb 17, 2025 · 2 likes · 3,184 followers View post →
Jed Sundwall
@jedsundwall · X

RT @gcamara: A great paper worth reading: "When is a forest a forest?" (https://t.co/lnEis1fxYf). Shows that conflicting definitions have g…

Aug 21, 2023 · 2 shares · 3,184 followers View post →
Ignacio Borlaf-Mena
@borlafgis · X

RT @gcamara: A great paper worth reading: "When is a forest a forest?" (https://t.co/lnEis1fxYf). Shows that conflicting definitions have g…

Aug 20, 2023 · 2 shares · 550 followers View post →
Gilberto Camara
@gcamara · X

A great paper worth reading: "When is a forest a forest?" (https://t.co/lnEis1fxYf). Shows that conflicting definitions have good reasons to exist. For more on unsupervised clustering, see the ML Bible ("The Elements of Statistical Learning") free to read on the web. (4/4)

Aug 20, 2023 · 4 likes · 2 shares · 10,487 followers View post →
Marcelo F. Dias
@Marcelo54459748 · X

When is a forest a forest? Forest concepts and definitions in the era of forest and landscape restoration https://t.co/lIaKlrJnVz

Feb 7, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share · 183 followers View post →
Neural Alpha
@NeuralAlpha · X

What's a forest, anyways? The @FAO of the @UN defines a forest as a type of

May 27, 2022 · 3,530 followers View post →
Ecology Tweets
@ecology_tweets · X

RT @researchsquare: What is a forest? Applying only one definition hinders #conservation, management, & restoration efforts. A @SpringerNat…

Mar 21, 2021 · 2 shares · 5,436 followers View post →
Jane Eden
@jane__eden · X

RT @researchsquare: What is a forest? Applying only one definition hinders #conservation, management, & restoration efforts. A @SpringerNat…

Mar 21, 2021 · 2 shares · 3,417 followers View post →
Research Square
@researchsquare · X

What is a forest? Applying only one definition hinders #conservation, management, & restoration efforts. A @SpringerNature study seeks to provide comprehensive guidelines for researchers & policymakers: https://t.co/X7etqB5G7K #InternationalDayofForests https://t.co/BefV54waeZ

Mar 21, 2021 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 16,555 followers View post →
Guillermo Castilla
@castillaCFS · X

@YvetteDRoy @mikewulder @DrNASApants @lexcomber Sorry Mike to jump in! For 'forest' as landuse, see https://t.co/tJksosxwXR . For 'forest' as landcover, see https://t.co/EoOrKAuiec

Mar 16, 2021 · 2 likes · 484 followers View post →
Eds
@MrMadPingu · X

Bon, un peu de rattrapage à faire ! 11/ Chazdon R.L. et al. 2016 When is a forest a forest? Forest concepts and definitions in the era of forest and landscape restoration.

Feb 21, 2021 · 22 followers View post →
Dr. Bismark Ofosu-Bamfo
@bofosubamfo1 · X

RT @FoRCEexperiment: How should we define a forest? https://t.co/0mGPZl5Vwh

Sep 8, 2019 · 2 shares · 1,074 followers View post →
Reforest Africa
@ReforestAfr · X

RT @FoRCEexperiment: How should we define a forest? https://t.co/0mGPZl5Vwh

Sep 8, 2019 · 2 shares · 263 followers View post →
FoRCE
@FoRCEexperiment · X

How should we define a forest? https://t.co/0mGPZl5Vwh

Sep 8, 2019 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 391 followers View post →
Claude Garcia
@ClaudeAGarcia · X

A forest is a forest is a forest... https://t.co/jQ48yLc8to

Sep 8, 2019 · 1 like · 1,005 followers View post →
PARTNERS
@partnersrcn · X

A plantation is not good or bad. It is about objectives, management and outcomes. But is a plantation a forest? https://t.co/9MGkNUrwPI https://t.co/OZdIs2Wwww

Apr 5, 2019 · 1,426 followers View post →