In reading a recent article from the Center for International Forestry Research, I was reminded that there are an increasing number of tools to help local communities, governments, conservationists, and the public at large monitor changes in canopy cover and biomass, the ability of resource managers and carbon markets to play an important role in helping conserve tropical forests is moving in an exciting direction.  See for example here for mapping by the Carnegie Airborne Observatory, and here for work by the University of Maryland, and here for work by the Woods Hole Research Center.  These tools are incredibly powerful at helping see the extent of existing deforestation, as well as planning for mechanisms to curb it, track improvements (and set backs), and strive for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation as well as improving carbon storage by protecting the forest.