Tree Loss

Tracks annual loss of global tree cover detected by satellite imagery and reported through Global Forest Watch.

availability

On Demand

Now

indicator tier

Silver

unit

Hectares (ha) of tree cover lost per year

spatial resolution

30m

measurement frequency

Annual

measurement level

historic data availability

Forescast data availability

applicable crop types

applicable land type

No items found.

compliance frameworks

description

Measures areas where tree canopy has been completely removed or died, based on the Hansen Global Forest Change dataset. It provides annual, high-resolution data (30 m) that helps monitor deforestation, forest degradation, and land-use change across all biomes. The dataset distinguishes tree loss from total forest area, offering valuable insights into temporal patterns of forest disturbance.

methodology

Tree loss is detected by analyzing time-series Landsat imagery from 2000 onward. The Hansen et al. (University of Maryland) algorithm identifies pixels where vegetation taller than 5 m has experienced a full canopy removal compared to the year 2000 baseline. Each year’s loss is mapped and aggregated by Global Forest Watch, enabling spatial and temporal assessments of forest cover change.

validation