Anthropogenic disturbance in tropical forests can double biodiversity loss from deforestation. A study published in Nature in June 2016 found that disturbance within forests, such as logging and wildfires, and landscape effects like edge and area effects, significantly reduce the conservation value of primary forests. In the Amazonian state of Pará, catchments retaining over 69-80% forest cover lost more conservation value from disturbance than from deforestation. A 20% loss of primary forest resulted in a 39-54% loss of conservation value, 96-171% more than expected without considering disturbance effects. The study estimated that disturbance-induced loss of conservation value in Pará was equivalent to the loss of 92,000-139,000 km² of primary forest, which is greater than the area deforested across the entire Brazilian Amazon between 2006 and 2015. The study used species distribution models to show that both landscape and within-forest disturbance contributed substantially to biodiversity loss, with the greatest negative effects on species of high conservation and functional value. The findings highlight the urgent need for policies that address both deforestation and forest disturbance to protect tropical forest biodiversity. The study emphasizes the importance of protecting large blocks of remaining forest and preventing within-forest disturbance to aid recovery and improve connectivity. The results suggest that current conservation strategies may not be sufficient to protect biodiversity without addressing the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance.Anthropogenic disturbance in tropical forests can double biodiversity loss from deforestation. A study published in Nature in June 2016 found that disturbance within forests, such as logging and wildfires, and landscape effects like edge and area effects, significantly reduce the conservation value of primary forests. In the Amazonian state of Pará, catchments retaining over 69-80% forest cover lost more conservation value from disturbance than from deforestation. A 20% loss of primary forest resulted in a 39-54% loss of conservation value, 96-171% more than expected without considering disturbance effects. The study estimated that disturbance-induced loss of conservation value in Pará was equivalent to the loss of 92,000-139,000 km² of primary forest, which is greater than the area deforested across the entire Brazilian Amazon between 2006 and 2015. The study used species distribution models to show that both landscape and within-forest disturbance contributed substantially to biodiversity loss, with the greatest negative effects on species of high conservation and functional value. The findings highlight the urgent need for policies that address both deforestation and forest disturbance to protect tropical forest biodiversity. The study emphasizes the importance of protecting large blocks of remaining forest and preventing within-forest disturbance to aid recovery and improve connectivity. The results suggest that current conservation strategies may not be sufficient to protect biodiversity without addressing the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance.