A globally consistent methodology using satellite imagery was implemented to quantify gross forest cover loss (GFCL) from 2000 to 2005 and to compare GFCL among biomes, continents, and countries. GFCL is defined as the area of forest cover removed because of any disturbance, including both natural and human-induced causes. GFCL was estimated to be 1,011,000 km2 from 2000 to 2005, representing 3.1% (0.6% per year) of the year 2000 estimated total forest area of 32,688,000 km2. The boreal biome experienced the largest area of GFCL, followed by the humid tropical, dry tropical, and temperate biomes. GFCL expressed as the proportion of year 2000 forest cover was highest in the boreal biome and lowest in the humid tropics. Among continents, North America had the largest total area and largest proportion of year 2000 GFCL.
Technology Partners: MimirTech
Links:
[1] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/feature-article/quantification-global-gross-forest-cover-loss
[2] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/matthew-c-hansen
[3] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/stephen-v-stehman
[4] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/peter-v-potapov
[5] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/journal/proceedings-national-academy-sciences
[6] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/forests
[7] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/land-use
[8] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/canada
[9] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/deforestation
[10] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/remote-sensing
[11] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/brazil
[12] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/india
[13] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/global
