<p>Total tropical primary forest loss in 2023 totaled 3.7 million hectares, the equivalent of losing almost 10 football (soccer) fields of forest per minute. <a href="https://gfw.global/3TPufvy" rel="noopener" target="_blank">View on the Global Forest Review.</a></p>


2023 Tree Cover Loss Data Analysis

overview of a river in Pantanal, Brazil

Insights

Insights | Global Forest Watch Blog

amazon

amazon | Global Forest Watch Blog

Brazil

Brazil | Global Forest Watch Blog

Congo Basin

Congo Basin | Global Forest Watch Blog

deforestation

deforestation | Global Forest Watch Blog

forest change

forest change | Global Forest Watch Blog

Indonesia

Indonesia | Global Forest Watch Blog

Mikaela Weisse

Liz Goldman

Sarah Carter

Tropical Forest Loss Drops Steeply in Brazil and Colombia, but High Rates Persist Overall

Despite progress in some countries, the rate of tropical primary forest loss in 2023 remained persistent, according to new data from UMD on GFW.

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<p>A recent analysis found that tall, mature forests — which are critical for storing carbon and safeguarding biodiversity — are declining significantly in some parts of Europe. This is primarily due to a rise in timber harvesting as well as natural disturbances, such as wildfires and pests, which are often exacerbated by climate change.</p>



<p>There was some good news as well.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425723003486" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The study</a>, from the University of Maryland and WRI in partnership with European researchers, shows that Europe’s total tree cover increased slightly over the last two decades. But that’s not the full story: Some regions within Europe saw significant declines in forest area. And the total amount of&nbsp;<em>tall forests&nbsp;</em>(forests with trees taller than 15 meters) declined by 2.25 million hectares — an area half the size of Denmark. The decline was highest in Nordic countries, which saw a 20% reduction in tall forests, followed by areas in Southeastern Europe. While tall forests have often been replaced with new trees, these can take decades to mature to the point where they provide equivalent climate and ecosystem benefits, meaning overall forest health in these areas is being reduced.</p>



<p>These findings underscore the need for ambitious action on the part of EU countries to protect and maintain existing forests and the vital services they provide. Progress is underway, with a number of new laws aimed at curbing deforestation and forest degradation. But to be successful, these must be informed by timely, robust data on forest health and disturbances. The proposed <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_5909" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Forest Monitoring Framework</a>, issued on November 22, 2023, should support these efforts by ensuring harmonized and improved forest monitoring in Europe — if it mandates comparable and consistent reporting on key forest health indicators throughout the EU.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Europe Lost 2.25 Million Hectares of Tall Forests From 2001-2021</h2>



<p>Between 2001 and 2021, Europe experienced a small net gain in tree cover of around 1%, or 1.5 million hectares. With tree cover declining&nbsp;<a href="https://research.wri.org/gfr/forest-extent-indicators/forest-extent#is-global-tree-cover-increasing-or-decreasing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in almost all other areas</a>&nbsp;around the world, this is an important achievement. But despite this overall gain, the findings also show that Europe’s tall forests&nbsp;<em>declined&nbsp;</em>by 3%, or 2.25 million hectares, over the same period. Tall forests were disproportionately affected by an acceleration of forest disturbance in recent years, including both harvesting activities and natural disturbances.</p>



<p>The analysis shows strong variability between regions, with some experiencing significant losses in forest area while others saw more gains. The Nordic region (Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland) saw the biggest declines, losing 3.5% of its total forests and 20% of its tall forests over the last two decades.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1950" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/23-11-14-European-Forest-Decline_Insights-no-logo-1-2048x1950.png" alt="Map showing net change in tall tree cover (height greater than or equal to 15 meters) in Europe 2001-2021" class="wp-image-16502" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/23-11-14-European-Forest-Decline_Insights-no-logo-1-2048x1950.png 2048w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/23-11-14-European-Forest-Decline_Insights-no-logo-1-1024x975.png 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/23-11-14-European-Forest-Decline_Insights-no-logo-1-768x731.png 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/23-11-14-European-Forest-Decline_Insights-no-logo-1-1536x1463.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></figure>



<p>The vast majority (around 87%) of tree cover loss was due to intensive timber harvesting — which can take the form of direct felling or salvage logging after a disturbance — as well as natural disturbances like wildfires and insect outbreaks, which are increasing in extent and severity due to climate change.</p>



<p>Most tree cover loss will be temporary as new forest growth in Europe is largely compensating for forest loss in terms of area alone. But tall forests are being cleared at a faster rate than new forests can regrow, leading to a gradual decline in forest height and a reduction of forest services such as carbon storage over time. So while Europe isn’t losing tree cover overall, the health of its forests is declining.</p>



<p>This decline in Europe’s tall forests is a sign that timber harvesting may already exceed rates that can be sustained into the future. With global demand for timber&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc2265en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expected to grow</a>&nbsp;in the coming decades, Europe should heed this warning and take action to avoid running down its precious forest assets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Are Tall Forests So Important?</h2>



<p>While most forests in Europe have been intensively managed by humans for centuries, these forests still provide immense value for people and nature.</p>



<p>For one, the carbon storage capacity of trees increases with height and age, meaning the loss of tall trees and a resulting shift toward shorter, younger trees reduces the carbon storage capacity of Europe’s forests. While the full carbon picture is complicated (for example, young forests absorb carbon from the atmosphere at a faster rate than older standing forests),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/forests-absorb-twice-much-carbon-they-emit-each-year" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protecting mature forests</a>&nbsp;is critical for curbing climate change.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="760" height="477" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20_01_21_Carbon_Flux_v2_Graphic_1.png" alt="Illustration: Forests act as both a source and a sink for carbon" class="wp-image-16503"/></figure>



<p>These tall forests also include many of Europe’s old growth forests, which take centuries to grow and cannot be replaced by young, regrowing forests. Old growth forests&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-021-00988-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">play a key role</a>&nbsp;in climate change mitigation by storing large quantities of carbon both in their biomass and in their soil. They provide ecosystem services like protecting soil health and regulating water drainage, and act as a critical refuge for wildlife and biodiversity. They are also a valuable part of cultural heritage for European communities and nations.</p>



<p>Further, even though the last two decades saw a slight increase in tree cover in Europe overall, much of this increase is due to expansion of tree plantations — specifically plantations of non-native tree species such as eucalyptus, black locust and Sitka spruce. This likely has&nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/geb.13440" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">negative consequences</a>&nbsp;for ecosystems, such as reduced diversity and abundance of plants and animals, particularly where more diverse natural forests are replaced by monoculture plantations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New EU Regulations Could Curb Forest Degradation, but Improved Monitoring Is Needed</h2>



<p>Europe is working to improve forest management and address its contribution to forest loss worldwide through a number of new and developing laws and strategies. These include:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>The&nbsp;<a href="https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/forest-strategy_en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Forest Strategy for 2030</a>:</strong>&nbsp;A strategy to improve the quantity and quality of EU forests and strengthen their protection, restoration and resilience.</li>



<li><strong>The&nbsp;<a href="https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/biodiversity-strategy-2030_en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030</a>:</strong>&nbsp;A comprehensive long-term plan to protect nature and reverse ecosystem degradation in the EU.</li>



<li><strong>The proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_5662" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Restoration Law</a>:</strong>&nbsp;A binding regulation to restore nature, including putting restoration measures in place for at least 20% of the EU’s land areas and 20% of its seas by 2030.</li>



<li><strong>The&nbsp;<a href="https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/forests/deforestation/regulation-deforestation-free-products_en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Deforestation Regulation</a>:</strong>&nbsp;A binding regulation to ensure that certain commodities exported to or placed on the EU market are <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/commodities/satellite-data-eu-regulation-deforestation-free-supply-chains/">deforestation free</a>.</li>
</ul>



<p>These initiatives show progress is moving in the right direction, but they must be supported by improved monitoring and transparency to be most effective. This is the aim of the proposed <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_5909" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Monitoring Framework</a> — a regulatory initiative to ensure that European member states provide detailed, robust and timely information on the condition and management of EU forests, including indicators on their health, quality and trends over time.</p>



<p>With better monitoring, Europe will be able to assess whether its forests are managed sustainably, evaluate the ability of forests to contribute to climate change mitigation and identify priority forests to protect. Monitoring efforts under the framework must be harmonized to allow comparison and understanding across the EU, meaning countries should be responsible for reporting on the same set of indicators. They should also be transparent to encourage public accountability and timely to enable data-based decision making on appropriate time scales.</p>



<p>Forests are crucial to fighting climate change and to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity. To maximize their potential, Europe should look deeper into its forests. Satellite monitoring and data products, like the ones used in this study or through the open-source&nbsp;<a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/">Global Forest Watch</a>, combined with ground-based measurements can support implementation of the Forest Monitoring Framework Regulation and help ensure all of Europe’s forests are on the right track.</p>



<hr> 

<div class="attribute" style="”padding-bottom:" 10px;”="">
 

Originally appeared on <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/european-tall-forest-decline" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WRI Insights</a>. 
 

</div> 

 

<hr>



<style type="text/css"></style>

Timber Harvesting and Climate Change Are Depleting Europe’s Mature Forests

<p>A recent analysis found that tall, mature forests — which are critical for storing carbon and safeguarding biodiversity — are declining significantly in some parts of Europe. This is primarily due to a rise in timber harvesting as well as natural disturbances, such as wildfires and pests, which are often exacerbated by climate change.</p>



<p>There was some good news as well.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425723003486" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The study</a>, from the University of Maryland and WRI in partnership with European researchers, shows that Europe’s total tree cover increased slightly over the last two decades. But that’s not the full story: Some regions within Europe saw significant declines in forest area. And the total amount of&nbsp;<em>tall forests&nbsp;</em>(forests with trees taller than 15 meters) declined by 2.25 million hectares — an area half the size of Denmark. The decline was highest in Nordic countries, which saw a 20% reduction in tall forests, followed by areas in Southeastern Europe. While tall forests have often been replaced with new trees, these can take decades to mature to the point where they provide equivalent climate and ecosystem benefits, meaning overall forest health in these areas is being reduced.</p>



<p>These findings underscore the need for ambitious action on the part of EU countries to protect and maintain existing forests and the vital services they provide. Progress is underway, with a number of new laws aimed at curbing deforestation and forest degradation. But to be successful, these must be informed by timely, robust data on forest health and disturbances. The proposed <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_5909" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Forest Monitoring Framework</a>, issued on November 22, 2023, should support these efforts by ensuring harmonized and improved forest monitoring in Europe — if it mandates comparable and consistent reporting on key forest health indicators throughout the EU.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Europe Lost 2.25 Million Hectares of Tall Forests From 2001-2021</h2>



<p>Between 2001 and 2021, Europe experienced a small net gain in tree cover of around 1%, or 1.5 million hectares. With tree cover declining&nbsp;<a href="https://research.wri.org/gfr/forest-extent-indicators/forest-extent#is-global-tree-cover-increasing-or-decreasing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in almost all other areas</a>&nbsp;around the world, this is an important achievement. But despite this overall gain, the findings also show that Europe’s tall forests&nbsp;<em>declined&nbsp;</em>by 3%, or 2.25 million hectares, over the same period. Tall forests were disproportionately affected by an acceleration of forest disturbance in recent years, including both harvesting activities and natural disturbances.</p>



<p>The analysis shows strong variability between regions, with some experiencing significant losses in forest area while others saw more gains. The Nordic region (Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland) saw the biggest declines, losing 3.5% of its total forests and 20% of its tall forests over the last two decades.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/23-11-14-European-Forest-Decline_Insights-no-logo-1-2048x1950.png" alt="Map showing net change in tall tree cover (height greater than or equal to 15 meters) in Europe 2001-2021" class="wp-image-16502"/></figure>



<p>The vast majority (around 87%) of tree cover loss was due to intensive timber harvesting — which can take the form of direct felling or salvage logging after a disturbance — as well as natural disturbances like wildfires and insect outbreaks, which are increasing in extent and severity due to climate change.</p>



<p>Most tree cover loss will be temporary as new forest growth in Europe is largely compensating for forest loss in terms of area alone. But tall forests are being cleared at a faster rate than new forests can regrow, leading to a gradual decline in forest height and a reduction of forest services such as carbon storage over time. So while Europe isn’t losing tree cover overall, the health of its forests is declining.</p>



<p>This decline in Europe’s tall forests is a sign that timber harvesting may already exceed rates that can be sustained into the future. With global demand for timber&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc2265en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expected to grow</a>&nbsp;in the coming decades, Europe should heed this warning and take action to avoid running down its precious forest assets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Are Tall Forests So Important?</h2>



<p>While most forests in Europe have been intensively managed by humans for centuries, these forests still provide immense value for people and nature.</p>



<p>For one, the carbon storage capacity of trees increases with height and age, meaning the loss of tall trees and a resulting shift toward shorter, younger trees reduces the carbon storage capacity of Europe’s forests. While the full carbon picture is complicated (for example, young forests absorb carbon from the atmosphere at a faster rate than older standing forests),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/forests-absorb-twice-much-carbon-they-emit-each-year" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protecting mature forests</a>&nbsp;is critical for curbing climate change.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20_01_21_Carbon_Flux_v2_Graphic_1.png" alt="Illustration: Forests act as both a source and a sink for carbon" class="wp-image-16503"/></figure>



<p>These tall forests also include many of Europe’s old growth forests, which take centuries to grow and cannot be replaced by young, regrowing forests. Old growth forests&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-021-00988-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">play a key role</a>&nbsp;in climate change mitigation by storing large quantities of carbon both in their biomass and in their soil. They provide ecosystem services like protecting soil health and regulating water drainage, and act as a critical refuge for wildlife and biodiversity. They are also a valuable part of cultural heritage for European communities and nations.</p>



<p>Further, even though the last two decades saw a slight increase in tree cover in Europe overall, much of this increase is due to expansion of tree plantations — specifically plantations of non-native tree species such as eucalyptus, black locust and Sitka spruce. This likely has&nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/geb.13440" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">negative consequences</a>&nbsp;for ecosystems, such as reduced diversity and abundance of plants and animals, particularly where more diverse natural forests are replaced by monoculture plantations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New EU Regulations Could Curb Forest Degradation, but Improved Monitoring Is Needed</h2>



<p>Europe is working to improve forest management and address its contribution to forest loss worldwide through a number of new and developing laws and strategies. These include:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>The&nbsp;<a href="https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/forest-strategy_en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Forest Strategy for 2030</a>:</strong>&nbsp;A strategy to improve the quantity and quality of EU forests and strengthen their protection, restoration and resilience.</li>



<li><strong>The&nbsp;<a href="https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/biodiversity-strategy-2030_en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030</a>:</strong>&nbsp;A comprehensive long-term plan to protect nature and reverse ecosystem degradation in the EU.</li>



<li><strong>The proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_5662" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Restoration Law</a>:</strong>&nbsp;A binding regulation to restore nature, including putting restoration measures in place for at least 20% of the EU's land areas and 20% of its seas by 2030.</li>



<li><strong>The&nbsp;<a href="https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/forests/deforestation/regulation-deforestation-free-products_en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Deforestation Regulation</a>:</strong>&nbsp;A binding regulation to ensure that certain commodities exported to or placed on the EU market are <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/commodities/satellite-data-eu-regulation-deforestation-free-supply-chains/">deforestation free</a>.</li>
</ul>



<p>These initiatives show progress is moving in the right direction, but they must be supported by improved monitoring and transparency to be most effective. This is the aim of the proposed <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_5909" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Monitoring Framework</a> — a regulatory initiative to ensure that European member states provide detailed, robust and timely information on the condition and management of EU forests, including indicators on their health, quality and trends over time.</p>



<p>With better monitoring, Europe will be able to assess whether its forests are managed sustainably, evaluate the ability of forests to contribute to climate change mitigation and identify priority forests to protect. Monitoring efforts under the framework must be harmonized to allow comparison and understanding across the EU, meaning countries should be responsible for reporting on the same set of indicators. They should also be transparent to encourage public accountability and timely to enable data-based decision making on appropriate time scales.</p>



<p>Forests are crucial to fighting climate change and to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity. To maximize their potential, Europe should look deeper into its forests. Satellite monitoring and data products, like the ones used in this study or through the open-source&nbsp;<a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/">Global Forest Watch</a>, combined with ground-based measurements can support implementation of the Forest Monitoring Framework Regulation and help ensure all of Europe’s forests are on the right track.</p>



<hr> 

<div class="attribute" style="”padding-bottom:" 10px;”="">
 

Originally appeared on <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/european-tall-forest-decline" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WRI Insights</a>. 
 

</div> 

 

<hr>

Timber Harvesting and Climate Change Are Depleting Europe's Mature Forests

A new study found that important tall, mature forests are declining in some parts of Europe due to timber harvesting and climate change.

Timber Harvesting and Climate Change Are Depleting Europe&#8217;s Mature Forests

fires

fires | Global Forest Watch Blog

James MacCarthy

Jessica Richter

Sasha Tyukavina

Nancy Harris

The Latest Data Confirms: Forest Fires Are Getting Worse

The latest data on forest fires confirms: Fires are becoming more widespread, burning nearly twice as much tree cover today as 20 years ago.

The Latest Data Confirms: Forest Fires Are Getting Worse | GFW Blog

An aerial shot shows the contrast between forest and agricultural landscapes near Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil.

Tropical Primary Forest Loss Worsened in 2022, Despite International Commitments to End Deforestation

La perte de forêts primaires tropicales s’est aggravée en 2022, malgré les engagements internationaux visant à mettre fin à la déforestation

Perda de florestas tropicais primárias piora em 2022 apesar dos compromissos internacionais para acabar com o desmatamento

Empeoró La Pérdida De Bosques Tropicales Primarios en 2022, A Pesar De Los Compromisos Internacionales Contra La Deforestación

Tingkat Kehilangan Hutan Primer Tropis pada tahun 2022 Memburuk, Terlepas dari Komitmen Global untuk Mengakhiri Deforestasi

Tropical primary forest loss was 10% higher in 2022 than in 2021 despite international commitments, according to new data on GFW.

Tropical Primary Forest Loss Worsened in 2022 | GFW Blog

carbon

carbon | Global Forest Watch Blog

indigenous peoples

indigenous peoples | Global Forest Watch Blog

Indigenous Peoples &amp; Local Communities

Indigenous Peoples &amp; Local Communities | Global Forest Watch Blog

Peter Veit

David Gibbs

Katie Reytar

Indigenous Forests Are Some of the Amazon’s Last Carbon Sinks

New research shows that forests managed by Indigenous people in the Amazon are net carbon sinks, while forests outside Indigenous lands are a carbon source.

Indigenous Forests Are Some of the Amazon’s Last Carbon Sinks | Insights | Global Forest Watch Blog

Photo of mountains in Mexico Protected Natural Area

Biodiversity

Biodiversity | Global Forest Watch Blog

mexico

mexico | Global Forest Watch Blog

Sheccid Gomez Balvas

Valeria López-Portillo

Sarai Eunice Rodríguez

Natural Protected Areas in Mexico: A Strategic Front for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

<div class="imageright"><img class=" wp-image-3569 alignright" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="Photo of tree canopies in Mexico" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MXblog_1_trees.jpg" width="100%">Photo credit: René Ibarra  </div>



<p>According to the latest analysis on the <a href="https://research.wri.org/gfr/latest-analysis-deforestation-trends" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Forest Review</a>, during 2021, the tropics lost 11.1 million ha (hectares) of <a href="https://research.wri.org/gfr/key-terms-definitions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree cover</a>. The rate of tropical primary forest loss alone reached 10 football pitches per minute, generating the same amount of CO<sub>2</sub> as the annual fossil fuel emissions of <a href="https://di.unfccc.int/time_series" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">India</a>. Globally in 2021, the world lost 25.3 million ha of tree cover, equivalent to the area of Ecuador.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Forests are a strategic component to addressing climate change. Each year, they <a href="https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/forests-and-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">absorb a third</a> of the CO2 released by the burning of fossil fuels. In addition, they are home to 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity, support soil formation and aquifer recharge and prevent desertification. Because of the economic, social and environmental importance of forests, and their persistent loss at a global level, there are voluntary, public, and private instruments, mechanisms, and legal and economic incentives that seek to protect the integrity of these ecosystems and the biodiversity they house. One of these instruments is the establishment and management of Natural Protected Areas (NPAs).&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Approximately <a href="http://www.conafor.gob.mx:8080/documentos/docs/1/7749El%20Sector%20Forestal%20Mexicano%20en%20Cifras%202019.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">17% of Mexico’s territory</a> is forested. However, GFW monitoring reveals that these ecosystems continue to experience significant losses and 2021 was no exception. This blog addresses the crucial role NPAs play in reducing forest loss and achieving Mexico’s climate and biodiversity commitments. Furthermore, it analyses tree cover loss between three areas with different protection categories in the state of Campeche, seeking to highlight the role of NPAs in mitigating deforestation.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Forest Loss in Mexico&nbsp;</h2>



<p>According to GFW, in 2021, Mexico was the twenty-sixth country with the greatest tree cover loss, losing 189,080 ha of tree cover, or 1.25 times the area of Mexico City, releasing 85 megatons of CO<sub>2</sub>e into the atmosphere. This loss is important since the Mexican economy, particularly in the rural context, is highly dependent on its forests and jungles through forest-sector employment, trade of timber and non-timber products, ecotourism, and other environmental services with economic importance.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GFW_Nacional_EN-2048x1138.jpg" alt="Graph of tree cover loss in Mexico, 2002-2021" class="wp-image-14005"/></figure>



<p>Nearly 60% of the tree cover loss at the national level was concentrated in five states: Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Veracruz and Quintana Roo. These states lead the deforestation lists in recent decades. In fact, the National Forestry Commission of Mexico (CONAFOR) has identified several <a href="http://www.conafor.gob.mx:8080/documentos/docs/1/7768Documento%20tecnico%202020%20Deforestacion%20Bruta%20Final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforestation hotspots</a> within their territories.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GFW_Por-estado_EN-2048x1138.jpg" alt="Graph of tree cover loss by state in Mexico, 2021" class="wp-image-14004"/></figure>



<p>During 2021, the rate of tree cover loss in Mexico decreased by 31% compared to the average of the previous five years. However, <a href="https://wrimexico.org/bloga/reporta-global-forest-watch-m%C3%A1ximos-en-p%C3%A9rdida-de-cobertura-forestal-desde-2001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the last five years recorded</a> four of the five years with the largest loss of tree cover. Thus, the 2021 loss is comparable to the loses that had been maintained up until 2015. Although the reduction represents a respite from the previous rate of losses, it is far from being a trend. For that to be the case, tree cover loss must remain low in the coming years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The tree cover loss seen in Mexico is the result of social, environmental, economic and governance conditions. In general, the opportunity cost of forest conservation hardly competes with other land uses, such as agriculture, real estate or tourism development. However, determining the causes of the decrease in tree cover loss in 2021 requires an analysis of the conditions in each region. A potential explanation is that, after years of high rates of tree cover loss, there are fewer areas still suitable for exploitation, or what remains is not financially viable for exploitation.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>The Importance of Natural Protected Areas in the Face of Forest Loss&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MXblog_2_mountains-2048x1365.jpg" alt="Photo of mountains in Mexico Protected Natural Area" class="wp-image-14001"/><figcaption>Photo credit: René Ibarra </figcaption></figure>



<p>Tree cover loss is the permanent or temporary removal of tree cover for any reason, including anthropogenic and natural causes, such as fires. It is a phenomenon that can lead to deforestation, defined as the permanent elimination of forest cover, and induces changes that negatively affect ecosystem structure and functioning. In Mexico, tree cover loss <a href="https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5609275&amp;fecha=31/12/2020#gsc.tab=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is the main direct cause</a> of degradation of terrestrial ecosystems and loss of biodiversity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Forest degradation impacts the quality of ecosystem services, water services, climate regulation and carbon storage. To maximize the benefits from forests, it is necessary to maintain forest landscapes intact and ensure their sustainable management. Therefore, preventing deforestation is as important as protecting the integrity of existing forest areas.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In addition to being a key part of the solution to climate change, forest conservation creates synergies to address other global crises, such as biodiversity loss, desertification and drought. Similarly, forests contribute to local livelihoods and the national economy.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Environmental regulations and other political instruments <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389934119302011" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">directly and indirectly influence</a> deforestation rates in the world. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ldr.2970" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NPAs have been identified as useful tools</a> to mitigate the loss of tree cover and deforestation. In Mexico, where approximately 11% of the land area <a href="http://sig.conanp.gob.mx/website/pagsig/datos_anp.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is under some category of federal NPA</a>, several studies <a href="http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&amp;pid=S1870-34532011000300020" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimate the effectiveness of the NPAs</a> based on their ability to stop urban growth and prevent land use change processes. In most of the NPAs analyzed, the rates of change are lower than their surrounding areas and the ecoregions in which they are located.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Evidence from Protected Areas in Campeche&nbsp;</h2>



<p>We compared three areas under different protection categories in the state of Campeche to visualize the role of NPAs in mitigating tree cover loss: the Calakmul federal NPA; a <a href="https://www.gob.mx/conanp/articulos/areas-destinadas-voluntariamente-a-la-conservacion-participacion-social-por-el-ambiente-193042#:~:text=Las%20%C3%81reas%20Destinadas%20Voluntariamente%20a,la%20participaci%C3%B3n%20de%20la%20sociedad." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Voluntary Conservation Area (ADVC)</a> in the surrounding area of Calakmul; and an area without any category of protection but with the same type of ecosystems as the two previous areas. Uploading the polygons onto the <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/?analysis=eyJzaG93RHJhdyI6dHJ1ZX0%3D&amp;mainMap=eyJzaG93QW5hbHlzaXMiOnRydWV9&amp;map=eyJkYXRhc2V0cyI6W3siZGF0YXNldCI6InBvbGl0aWNhbC1ib3VuZGFyaWVzIiwibGF5ZXJzIjpbImRpc3B1dGVkLXBvbGl0aWNhbC1ib3VuZGFyaWVzIiwicG9saXRpY2FsLWJvdW5kYXJpZXMiXSwib3BhY2l0eSI6MSwidmlzaWJpbGl0eSI6dHJ1ZX0seyJkYXRhc2V0IjoidHJlZS1jb3Zlci1sb3NzIiwibGF5ZXJzIjpbInRyZWUtY292ZXItbG9zcyJdLCJvcGFjaXR5IjoxLCJ2aXNpYmlsaXR5Ijp0cnVlfV19">GFW platform</a>, we compared the areas of tree cover lost between 2015 and 2021 for the three areas, as well as for the entire state of Campeche.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Because the areas had very different dimensions, we normalized the hectares of cover lost per year with respect to the area of each polygon. The figures reported in the graph represent the percentage of tree cover loss during the selected years in each polygon.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GWF_Campeche_EN-2048x1237.jpg" alt="Graph of tree cover loss in Campeche, 2015-2021" class="wp-image-14003"/></figure>



<p>The results show that, for all the years, the areas with some level of protection (Calakmul and ADVC) experienced a lower percentage of tree cover loss than the average loss in the state of Campeche. Comparing the protected areas with unprotected area, the percentages of loss in protected areas were lower in five of the seven years analyzed. This exercise is a first attempt to visualize the importance of protected areas in one of the states with the highest levels of tree cover loss in Mexico.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Forest Conservation in the National and Global Environmental Agenda&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The value of NPAs and other tools for forest landscape conservation becomes more relevant when considering the various commitments Mexico has made to halt deforestation and forest loss.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The mitigation component of the Mexican <a href="https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/NDC-Esp-30Dic.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nationally Determined Contribution</a> (NDC) seeks to achieve zero net deforestation by 2030. The commitment was reiterated at COP26, where Mexico signed the <a href="https://ukcop26.org/glasgow-leaders-declaration-on-forests-and-land-use/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use</a>, promising to stop and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Likewise, addressing forest loss is the backbone of several regional and voluntary initiatives Mexico has signed on. For example, within the framework of the <a href="https://initiative20x20.org/members" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">20x20 initiative</a> , Mexico committed to restoring one million ha of forest cover by 2020. The initiative was updated for 2030 to protect and restore at least 50 million ha for said year. Likewise, the Bonn Challenge and the New York Declaration on Forests seek to restore another 350 million ha globally by 2030.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that reducing the rate of deforestation and forest degradation <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/chapter/summary-for-policymakers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is one of the most robust mechanisms to mitigate climate change</a>. It is estimated that the Mexican forestry sector can contribute to reaching <a href="https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5609275&amp;fecha=31/12/2020#gsc.tab=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">22% of the national goal for the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions</a> established in the Paris Agreement, which would contribute to the mitigation of 46 million tons of CO2 equivalent for the year 2030.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In addition to being an effective strategy for mitigation, forest protection creates synergies for adaptation to climate change since forest ecosystem services contribute to increasing the resilience of forest communities and reducing their vulnerability to climate change impacts, such as flooding and droughts. <a href="https://es.mongabay.com/2022/03/dia-mundial-de-la-adaptacion-al-cambio-climatico-ejemplos-exitosos-en-america-latina/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Several success stories</a> have been reported where the recovery of forested areas in high basins benefits the recharge of aquifers, reduces landslide, and increases the availability of water in forest communities.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MXblog_3_mountains-2048x1365.jpg" alt="Photo of mountains in Mexico" class="wp-image-14000"/><figcaption>Photo credit: René Ibarra </figcaption></figure>



<p>Likewise, forest conservation contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and other commitments for biodiversity conservation. Mexico is recognized as one of <a href="https://www.biodiversidad.gob.mx/pais/quees" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the seventeen megadiverse countries in the world</a> and, since 1992, has been part of the <a href="https://www.biodiversidad.gob.mx/planeta/internacional/cbd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Convention on Biological Diversity</a>, in which it agreed to protect national biodiversity through <a href="https://www.cbd.int/countries/targets/?country=mx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">various goals</a> including reducing the rate of loss and degradation of protected natural habitats to a value close to zero by 2030.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Finally, conserving forest ecosystems and the biodiversity they house is a way of ensuring the well-being of rural communities, as forests cover close to <a href="https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5609275&amp;fecha=31/12/2020" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">70% of the national territory and are home to 10.9 million people</a>, many of whom live in poverty and marginalization. Given this vulnerability, the timber and non-timber forest resources are key to maintaining their livelihoods. For example, herbal medicine represents the first access to health in rural communities and is a common way of treating diseases and illnesses.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Forest loss is a global problem that endangers the forest integrity. Besides providing environmental services that sustain the well-being of communities, forests are key for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Losing the world's forests means undermining our ability to face global crises, such as the climate crisis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>NPAs are one of the most popular mechanisms for the protection of ecosystems in Mexico and have been identified as effective tools to mitigate the tree cover loss. However, the budget allocated to the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) has suffered <a href="https://ciep.mx/presupuesto-dirigido-a-areas-naturales-protegidas-evolucion-2014-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">significant reductions</a> in recent years, which limits its ability to protect areas of high ecological value in the country. Given this, it is necessary to promote initiatives that seek the protection of the country's forests.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Our Work&nbsp;</h2>



<p>WRI Mexico is involved in multiple efforts to conserve forests in the country. Through GFW, we promote and build capacity for forest monitoring among different stakeholders including journalists, academic institutions, and state governments. Similarly, <a href="https://wrimexico.org/our-work/projects/ciudades-que-protegen-los-bosques-para-el-bienestar-humano" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cities4Forests</a> promotes the conservation of urban and peripheral forests in several Mexican cities, creating a link between the ecosystem services of these areas and those urban populations. Finally, the <a href="https://wrimexico.org/our-work/projects/re3co" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RE3CO</a> initiative is undertaking mangrove conservation and restoration projects and promotes forest valuation while strengthening the livelihoods of coastal communities.&nbsp;</p>



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Originally appeared on <a href="https://wrimexico.org/bloga/%C3%A1reas-naturales-protegidas-un-frente-estrat%C3%A9gico-para-la-mitigaci%C3%B3n-y-adaptaci%C3%B3n-al-cambio" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WRI Mexico</a>. 


 

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