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
Congo Rainforest Regrowth: Rapid Recovery Yet Missing Old-Growth Ecosystem Structure
Tropical forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo show signs of recovery from deforestation. Image Credit: Wikipedia
Tropical forests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are showing signs of recovery from deforestation. But a recently released... [4847 chars]
Deforestation decline is not driven by corporate commitments
Tropical forests are essential for biodiversity, climate regulation and carbon storage. Yet they continue to disappear at an alarming rate. Many companies have adopted zero-deforestation commitments to reduce this trend. But it is crucial to determin... [4120 chars]
Proposed destruction of Graham Woods could unhouse family of campus cats
In February, the UF Lakes, Vegetation and Landscape Committee proposed the destruction of Graham Woods, a 7.5-acre conservation area on campus, suggesting the removal of over 200 invasive trees and more than 900 native ones, including nearly 70 herit... [5195 chars]
This renewable energy source is actually terrible for the planet
The modern soybean is one of the world’s miracle technologies, capable of cheaply, efficiently, and healthfully supplying protein and other nutrients to billions of people. But, unfortunately, we’ve mostly chosen to squander it on the most destructiv... [8478 chars]
EU adds some palm oil products to deforestation law, removes leather
BRUSSELS, July 13 (Reuters) - EU imports of palm oil derivatives will face the bloc's anti-deforestation rules from December 2027, while leather will be exempted from the law, the European Commission said on Monday.
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Reporting by Kate ... [553 chars]
Amazon rainforest deforestation hits lowest level in more than a decade
July 11 (UPI) -- Deforestation of Brazil's Amazon rainforest has fallen to its lowest levels in more than a decade, officials said this week.
Satellite surveys show a 37% decrease in the number of trees felled in the world's largest rainforest in the... [1053 chars]
Sixteen starve to death as key crops fail
Sixteen starve to death in Uganda as drought kills crops
The Ugandan government says at least 16 people have died from hunger in recent weeks in the north-eastern region of Karamoja due to a prolonged drought.
Farmers say they've lost crops because t... [1415 chars]
Under Lula, Amazon deforestation falls to lowest level in a decade
Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has fallen to its lowest level in a decade during the first half of 2026, according to official government figures.
Friday’s statistics mark a milestone in President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s efforts to c... [3315 chars]
Brazil deforestation hits new low in Amazon
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell to its lowest level in a decade in the first half of the year, according to official figures released Friday.
Leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is seeking re-election in October's election, ha... [1493 chars]
'Wiped out': Ukraine's bird lovers long for peaceful skies
When Viktor Sevidov looked up to the sky above Ukraine's war-scarred landscape, he was not watching out for incoming missiles or drones. Instead, he was looking for birds.
"There's a jay ... That's a bluethroat ... Do you see the hen harrier? We're l... [4372 chars]
News API sources: NewsCatcher & GNews