Forest degradation is when a forest loses its ability to provide important services like storing carbon and producing wood due to human activities and environmental changes. Different factors like logging, farming, and fires can cause degradation. To identify degraded forests, we can look at how they compare to their original healthy state in terms of productivity, biodiversity, disturbances, protective functions, and carbon storage. By using specific indicators like tree cover and biodiversity levels, we can monitor and manage forest degradation at different scales, from individual stands to entire landscapes.