The suggestion that landscapes should contain 40% of forest cover lacks evidence and is problematic

A recent review suggests that forest cover needs to be restored or maintained on at least 40% of land area. In the absence of empirical evidence to support this threshold, we discuss how this suggestion is unhelpful and potentially dangerous. We advocate for regionally defined thresholds to inform conservation and restoration.

Automated summary

A recent review suggests that forest cover needs to be restored or maintained on at least 40% of land area, but the lack of empirical evidence makes this suggestion unhelpful and potentially dangerous. It is advocated to establish regionally defined thresholds to guide conservation and restoration efforts.