Global Deforestation
This section is intended to collect data on the current status of global deforestation. This is accomplished through the utilization of APIs, databases, news sources, MapBuilders, and academic journals.
Global forest loss map
Credits: University of Maryland, department of geographical sciences.
Results from time-series analysis of Landsat images characterizing forest extent and change.
Trees are defined as vegetation taller than 5m in height and are expressed as a percentage per output grid cell as ‘2000 Percent Tree Cover’. ‘Forest Cover Loss’ is defined as a stand-replacement disturbance, or a change from a forest to non-forest state, during the period 2000–2019. ‘Forest Cover Gain’ is defined as the inverse of loss, or a non-forest to forest change entirely within the period 2000–2012. ‘Forest Loss Year’ is a disaggregation of total ‘Forest Loss’ to annual time scales.
Reference 2000 and 2019 imagery are median observations from a set of quality assessment-passed growing season observations.
News List
Brazil soy industry’s exit from moratorium on using Amazon land could spur deforestation
SAO PAULO (AP) — For nearly 20 years, Brazil’s largest soy producers assured buyers that their harvest — the world’s biggest — wasn't grown on land cleared from Amazonian forests. The pledge, known as the soy moratorium, has been widely credited with... [1559 chars]
Brazil's soy industry withdraws from Amazon deforestation pact, risking forest loss
SAO PAULO (AP) — For nearly 20 years, Brazil’s largest soy producers assured buyers that their harvest — the world’s biggest — wasn’t grown on land cleared from Amazonian forests. The pledge, known as the soy moratorium, has been widely credited with... [6231 chars]
Brazil Soy Industry’s Exit From Moratorium on Using Amazon Land Could Spur Deforestation
SAO PAULO (AP) — For nearly 20 years, Brazil’s largest soy producers assured buyers that their harvest — the world’s biggest — wasn't grown on land cleared from Amazonian forests. The pledge, known as the soy moratorium, has been widely credited with... [6503 chars]
Wayanad coffee farmers battle bad weather & thieves this harvest season
Recurring incidents of coffee theft are troubling farmers who are already battling an unpromising market and a hostile climate. As the harvest is good, organised gangs specialising in coffee theft have become active—either plucking berries directly f... [4271 chars]
Seeds of Hope: How Brazil's Innovative Restoration Projects Battle Deforestation
Restoration projects in Brazil have surged by 160% since 2021, despite record-breaking deforestation caused by wildfires linked to agricultural expansion. Vera Alves da Silva Oliveira, a member of the Xingu Seeds Network, stores seeds to help regener... [716 chars]
How AI's predictive power is helping to prevent deforestation
Summary
AI tools now predict illegal deforestation up to six months in advance
WWF's Forest Foresight operates in six countries, expanding to 12 by 2027
Early intervention in Gabon saved an estimated 30 hectares of forest
Project Guacamaya cut risk i... [9739 chars]
From ‘psychedelic’ spiders to European eels: 10 species heading into 2026 on the brink of extinction
Conservationists warn the world can “no longer afford” to delay climate action to protect and restore our planet’s natural wonders.
Today (7 January), international nature charity Fauna & Flora has launched its 2026 Species to Watch list, highlightin... [6489 chars]
Top soybean traders exit pact that protects Amazon rainforests
A group representing some of the world’s largest soybean traders is exiting a landmark deal created in Brazil to protect the Amazon rainforest against deforestation. Many of the trees cut down or burned in the region are leveled by people to grow soy... [1589 chars]
News API sources: NewsCatcher & GNews