Preserving 40% forest cover is a valuable and well‐supported conservation guideline: reply to Banks‐Leite et al

Abstract
Banks‐Leite et al. (2021) claim that our suggestion of preserving ≥ 40% forest cover lacks evidence and can be problematic. We find these claims unfounded, and discuss why conservation planning urgently requires valuable, well‐supported and feasible general guidelines like the 40% criterion. Using region‐specific thresholds worldwide is unfeasible and potentially harmful.
Funding Information
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (grant number 312178/2019‐0)