📊 Deforestation Data
Every year, the world loses approximately 10 million hectares of forest — an area roughly the size of Iceland, or larger than Portugal. This figure, drawn from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Global Forest Resources Assessment, represents net forest loss: the difference between forest destroyed and forest gained through natural regeneration and plantation. The gross loss is considerably higher — around 15-16 million hectares of natural forest destroyed annually, partially offset by plantation establishment and natural regrowth in some regions.
net forest lost per year
total forest remaining globally
lost since 1990
of Earth's land surface forested
Deforestation is not evenly distributed. According to Global Forest Watch, tropical forests account for the vast majority of current forest loss. Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Bolivia, and Peru consistently rank among the countries with the highest absolute forest loss. Tropical deforestation is particularly significant from a climate and biodiversity perspective: tropical forests store far more carbon per hectare than temperate or boreal forests and support far greater species diversity.
| Region | Forest Loss/Year | Primary Driver | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil (Amazon) | ~1.5M ha/yr | Cattle ranching, soy | Declining since 2023 |
| DR Congo | ~1.2M ha/yr | Subsistence farming | Increasing |
| Indonesia | ~0.7M ha/yr | Palm oil, pulp | Declining |
| Bolivia | ~0.4M ha/yr | Cattle, soy expansion | Increasing |
| Cameroon | ~0.3M ha/yr | Logging, farming | Stable/increasing |
Agricultural expansion is the dominant driver of tropical deforestation globally — responsible for approximately 80% of forest loss. Cattle ranching alone accounts for the largest share, particularly in Brazil and Bolivia, where forest is cleared to create pasture. Soy cultivation — much of it grown to feed livestock in Asia and Europe — drives deforestation in the southern Amazon and the Cerrado. Palm oil expansion is the primary driver in Indonesia and Malaysia. Infrastructure development, mining, and logging are secondary drivers that often open access to previously remote forest areas, enabling subsequent agricultural conversion.
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Dr. Carvalho has spent 14 years studying tropical forest dynamics, deforestation drivers, and conservation policy across the Amazon basin and Southeast Asia. She draws on data from Global Forest Watch, FAO, and the IPCC to make forest science accessible to global audiences.