Latest Deforestation Data

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Latest update on Deforestation:


.........Research published in the July issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by Matthew C. Hansen and others suggests wide differentials between the major tropical forest regions. Between 2000 and 2005, around 60 per cent of deforestation occurred in Latin America, a third in south-east Asia and just 5 per cent in Africa, the study estimates.

Within the regional figures, hotspots show up when the figures are broken down on a country-by-country basis and within country. Indonesia and Malaysia – at the centre of global concern over clearing for palm oil plantations – ranked relatively low compared to Brazil, said to be responsible for 48 per cent of all deforestation worldwide.

Researchers used various sources of satellite images to measure deforestation in sample areas around the world to estimate changes in forest cover. They say this is better methodology than the FAO monitoring, which relies on reporting by land and forestry authorities country by country. Another study earlier this year found discrepancies in FAO figures and concluded that it had been overestimating net deforestation over recent decades.

Deforestation is said to be contributing 18-20 per cent of total global greenhouse emissions.

The Hansen study estimates that 55 per cent of clearing occurs in just 6 per cent of tropical forest area. In Latin America, Northern Guatemala, eastern Bolivia and eastern Paraguay were identified as hotspots. The Brazilian southern Amazon states of Pará and Mato Grosso also showed up, in keeping with previous assessments. ..........


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