What are the main causes of global forest loss between 2000 and 2020?

Forests cover nearly one-third of the Earth’s land and play a vital role in climate, biodiversity, and carbon storage. Yet, between 2000 and 2020, over 1.2 billion hectares of forests were disturbed, accounting for nearly one-third of the world’s forest area. A recent analysis reveals that reforestation, slash-and-burn agriculture, and wildfires account for three-quarters of these losses. These disturbances are not evenly distributed: agricultural expansion dominates in South America and Africa, while forest fires mainly affect boreal regions, and shifting agriculture impacts tropical areas.

To understand these changes, scientists used very high-resolution satellite images capable of distinguishing details as small as 30 meters. Using artificial intelligence techniques and analysis of 57,000 reference points validated by experts, they mapped eleven types of forest disturbances. Their model, with 99% accuracy, shows that some areas also experience forest regrowth. Thus, 3% of the world’s forested areas are newly planted forests, primarily in China, India, and Brazil.

Forests face both natural and human pressures. Droughts, tree diseases, or floods weaken ecosystems, while deforestation for agriculture, urbanization, or logging transforms them profoundly. For example, the expansion of oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia or the conversion of land into urban areas permanently reduce forest cover. Conversely, some regions see forests regenerating naturally after logging or fires, or through reforestation programs.

This detailed mapping helps better target protection and restoration efforts. It highlights the importance of adapting strategies based on local causes of deforestation. The data obtained provide an unprecedented view of forest evolution and underscore the urgency of acting to preserve these ecosystems in the face of environmental changes. The information collected could also contribute to international climate agreements by improving the monitoring of carbon stocks.

Credits

Source Study

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-1601-2026

Title: Global high-resolution forest disturbance type dataset

Journal: Earth System Science Data

Publisher: Copernicus GmbH

Authors: Li Wang; Shidong Liu; Wanjuan Song; Shengping Ding; Jie Zhang

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