A recent study in the Amazon rainforest suggests that preserving existing forests from threats like wildfires and logging may be a more cost-effective strategy for protecting biodiversity and storing carbon than trying to restore land that has already been cleared. The research, led by scientists from Lancaster University and involving teams from the UK, Brazil, Sweden, and Australia, examined conservation strategies over more than three million hectares in the Brazilian state of Pará between 2010 and 2020. Using high-resolution satellite data, field observations, and models tracking 160 bird species and 426 tree species, the study compared the effectiveness of different approaches to forest conservation. The results showed that reducing disturbances in existing forests provided the greatest benefits for biodiversity and was nearly as effective as preventing deforestation in maintaining carbon storage. While restoring cleared land was important in areas where most of the original forest had been lost, the study found that such efforts were less effective and more expensive when used alone. This highlights the importance of focusing on protecting intact forests, which are more efficient at supporting wildlife and storing carbon than newly restored areas. The research also underscores the need for stronger policies and resources to prevent and manage wildfires, which are expected to be more intense this year due to the El Niño weather pattern and ongoing climate change. Scientists involved in the study emphasized that no single conservation approach was enough to reverse the loss of biodiversity and carbon in the region. However, combining protection measures with restoration efforts delivered the best results. The study warns that focusing solely on restoring new forests, without also protecting existing ones, could reduce the overall effectiveness of conservation efforts. It also points out that responsibility for forest conservation should not fall only on governments and environmental groups. Industries and markets involved in commodities like soy and beef, which are major drivers of deforestation, may need to take a greater role in reducing both deforestation and the degradation of remaining forests. The findings, published in the journal Science on September 17, 2026, were conducted by the Sustainable Amazon Network and supported by several organizations, including the UK's Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate and Brazil's National Council for Scientific and Technological Development.