The study quantifies the extent and long-term impacts of human-induced degradation on tropical moist forests (TMFs) by combining satellite remote sensing data on forest cover changes with estimates of canopy height and biomass from spaceborne LiDAR. The findings reveal that selective logging and fire reduce forest height by 15% and 50%, respectively, with low recovery rates even after 20 years. Agriculture and road expansion cause a 20% to 30% reduction in canopy height and biomass at forest edges, with persistent effects up to 1.5 km inside the forest. Edge effects encroach on 18% (approximately 206 Mha) of the remaining TMFs, more than 200% larger than previously estimated. Degraded forests with over 50% canopy loss are significantly more vulnerable to subsequent deforestation. The study calls for greater efforts to prevent degradation and protect degraded forests to meet conservation pledges made at recent UN climate change and biodiversity conferences.The study quantifies the extent and long-term impacts of human-induced degradation on tropical moist forests (TMFs) by combining satellite remote sensing data on forest cover changes with estimates of canopy height and biomass from spaceborne LiDAR. The findings reveal that selective logging and fire reduce forest height by 15% and 50%, respectively, with low recovery rates even after 20 years. Agriculture and road expansion cause a 20% to 30% reduction in canopy height and biomass at forest edges, with persistent effects up to 1.5 km inside the forest. Edge effects encroach on 18% (approximately 206 Mha) of the remaining TMFs, more than 200% larger than previously estimated. Degraded forests with over 50% canopy loss are significantly more vulnerable to subsequent deforestation. The study calls for greater efforts to prevent degradation and protect degraded forests to meet conservation pledges made at recent UN climate change and biodiversity conferences.