Assuming that no forested conservation reserves are ever integrated into the design of plantations within the landscape, and biodiversity sampled exclusively in oil palm, the authors will undoubtedly get such results in the short term. The real challenge is to insist that oil palm be planted 1) only where it grows productively and economically (which excludes peat and white sand "soils"), 2) that riverine reserves from 50-500m on both sides, depending on the size of the river, be required, 3) that these forested areas be connected with forests external to the boundaries of a plantation, 4) that the forests be managed, not just left as "HCV" but the resources be used in a measured and discipline way, and 5) local rural populations be provided with real livelihoods in tune with their original traditions, not just cash compensation that evaporates within weeks if not days. Oil palm is not going away anytime soon, so that the industry has to be enlightened about the serious pitfalls of ignoring the rest of the landscape in the interest of pursuing the cultivation of a single crop. Conservationists should also stop endlessly beating the drum with mountains of bad news from afar, and get to the ground to provide some seriously rational and practical solutions to this admittedly serious challenge.