The importance of distinguishing between natural and managed tree cover gains in the moist tropics

Xueyuan Gao; Peter B. Reich; Jeffrey R. Vincent; Matthew E. Fagan; Robin L. Chazdon; Steffen Fritz; Dmitry Schepaschenko; Matthew D. Potts; Matthew C. Hansen; Martin Jung; Pedro H.S. Brancalion; María Uriarte; Trevor F. Keenan; Thomas W. Crowther; Ralph O. Dubayah; Myroslava Lesiv; Shunlin Liang; Dongdong Wang

doi:10.1038/s41467-025-59196-1

The importance of distinguishing between natural and managed tree cover gains in the moist tropics

Xueyuan Gao, Peter B. Reich, Jeffrey R. Vincent, Matthew E. Fagan, Robin L. Chazdon, Steffen Fritz, Dmitry Schepaschenko, Matthew D. Potts, Matthew C. Hansen, Martin Jung, Pedro H.S. Brancalion, María Uriarte, Trevor F. Keenan, Thomas W. Crowther, Ralph O. Dubayah, Myroslava Lesiv, Shunlin Liang, Dongdong Wang

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Abstract

Naturally regenerated forests and managed tree systems provide different levels of carbon, biodiversity, and livelihood benefits. Here, we show that tree cover gains in the moist tropics during 1982–2015 were 56% ± 3% naturally regenerated forests and 27% ± 2.6% managed tree systems, with these differences in forest type, not only natural conditions (climate, soil, and topography), driving observed carbon recovery rates. The remaining 17% ± 3% likely represents small, unmanaged tree patches within non-forest cover types. Achieving global forest restoration goals requires robust monitoring, reporting, and verification of forest types established by restoration initiatives.

Original language	English
Article number	6092
Number of pages	6
Journal	Nature Communications
Volume	16
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59196-1
Publication status	Published - Dec 2025

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Gao, X., Reich, P. B., Vincent, J. R., Fagan, M. E., Chazdon, R. L., Fritz, S., Schepaschenko, D., Potts, M. D., Hansen, M. C., Jung, M., Brancalion, P. H. S., Uriarte, M., Keenan, T. F., Crowther, T. W., Dubayah, R. O., Lesiv, M., Liang, S., & Wang, D. (2025). The importance of distinguishing between natural and managed tree cover gains in the moist tropics. Nature Communications, 16(1), Article 6092. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59196-1

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abstract = "Naturally regenerated forests and managed tree systems provide different levels of carbon, biodiversity, and livelihood benefits. Here, we show that tree cover gains in the moist tropics during 1982–2015 were 56% ± 3% naturally regenerated forests and 27% ± 2.6% managed tree systems, with these differences in forest type, not only natural conditions (climate, soil, and topography), driving observed carbon recovery rates. The remaining 17% ± 3% likely represents small, unmanaged tree patches within non-forest cover types. Achieving global forest restoration goals requires robust monitoring, reporting, and verification of forest types established by restoration initiatives.",

author = "Xueyuan Gao and Reich, {Peter B.} and Vincent, {Jeffrey R.} and Fagan, {Matthew E.} and Chazdon, {Robin L.} and Steffen Fritz and Dmitry Schepaschenko and Potts, {Matthew D.} and Hansen, {Matthew C.} and Martin Jung and Brancalion, {Pedro H.S.} and Mar{\'i}a Uriarte and Keenan, {Trevor F.} and Crowther, {Thomas W.} and Dubayah, {Ralph O.} and Myroslava Lesiv and Shunlin Liang and Dongdong Wang",

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Gao, X, Reich, PB, Vincent, JR, Fagan, ME, Chazdon, RL, Fritz, S, Schepaschenko, D, Potts, MD, Hansen, MC, Jung, M, Brancalion, PHS, Uriarte, M, Keenan, TF, Crowther, TW, Dubayah, RO, Lesiv, M, Liang, S & Wang, D 2025, 'The importance of distinguishing between natural and managed tree cover gains in the moist tropics', Nature Communications, vol. 16, no. 1, 6092. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59196-1

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AU - Gao, Xueyuan

AU - Reich, Peter B.

AU - Vincent, Jeffrey R.

AU - Fagan, Matthew E.

AU - Chazdon, Robin L.

AU - Fritz, Steffen

AU - Schepaschenko, Dmitry

AU - Potts, Matthew D.

AU - Hansen, Matthew C.

AU - Jung, Martin

AU - Brancalion, Pedro H.S.

AU - Uriarte, María

AU - Keenan, Trevor F.

AU - Crowther, Thomas W.

AU - Dubayah, Ralph O.

AU - Lesiv, Myroslava

AU - Liang, Shunlin

AU - Wang, Dongdong

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The importance of distinguishing between natural and managed tree cover gains in the moist tropics

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