Global Forest Watch Blog

Stay atop the latest forest research and news! The Global Forest Watch blog uses data to illuminate the state of forests worldwide and tells the stories of people dedicated to protecting them. Read about rainforests, deforestation, fires, sustainable agriculture, forest management and other topics critical to the future of forests.

Ripe Cocoa pods from a cocoa farm in Ghana.

Ending Deforestation from Cocoa in West Africa with New Data-Driven Resources

Two new data-driven resources provide a shared view of priority areas in West Africa and can help realize a a deforestation-free cocoa sector.
Suriname forests

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Are Using Satellite Data to Fight Deforestation

Communities are increasingly using tools like GFW to gather evidence of deforestation and degradation on their lands and take legal action.  

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

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

Latest articles

Aerial view of the Amazon Rainforest

Comparing Forest Extent in 2020 from Global Forest Watch and the Forest Resources Assessment

This blog compares the forest extent in 2020 for data from UMD on GFW and the FAO Forest Resources Assessment and explains the differences.

Side by side comparison of UMD tree cover loss and JRC Tropical Moist Forest data

Differences Between Global Forest Watch’s Tree Cover Loss Data and JRC’s Tropical Moist Forest Data Explained

We explain key differences between two data sets that track forest change in the tropics: UMD tree cover loss and JRC Tropical Moist Forest.

AMPA volunteer using Forest Watcher

Forest Guardians in Action: Amazónicos por la Amazonía Tackles Environmental Crimes with GFW

GFW Small Grants Fund recipient AMPA is working with communities and authorities to to verify and raise awareness of environmental crimes.

Forest in Sweden

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 logging

Monitoring Forest Degradation for the EU Deforestation Regulation Using GFW

Under the EUDR, wood products entering the EU market must be degradation-free. Tools like GFW can help companies monitor for degradation.

African savannah elephants in the Maasai Mara

Protecting Critical Forest Habitats in the Maasai Mara with Mara Elephant Project

Maasai Mara forests in Kenya are vital for communities and wildlife. Mara Elephant Project helps protect these forests with data from GFW.

forest_fire_borneo

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.

Amazon – Brazil, 2011.©Neil Palmer/CIAT

Global Forest Watch’s 2022 Tree Cover Loss Data Explained

New data shows high rates of primary forest loss in 2022. What does the data measure and how does it compare to other official estimates of deforestation?

Net forest greenhouse gas flux 2001-2022

What’s New With GFW’s Forest Carbon Monitoring

Carbon monitoring data on GFW provides information on where forests are gaining or losing carbon. In 2023, we updated this model with new data.