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Satellite Imagery

Sarah Ruiz

<p>Satellites, constantly orbiting around our planet, see just about everything. Which means that when a tree falls in a forest, satellites know about it. <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOmZhbHNlLCJzaG93QW5hbHlzaXMiOmZhbHNlLCJoaWRlTGVnZW5kIjp0cnVlfQ%3D%3D&map=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&utm_campaign=gfw&utm_source=gfwblog&utm_medium=hyperlink&utm_term=satellitepatterns_12_2019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Global Forest Watch’s (opens in a new tab)">Global Forest Watch’s</a> (GFW) tree cover loss data, derived from NASA satellite imagery, can pinpoint where trees have fallen around the world. To help us understand what might have caused this tree cover loss, we can turn directly to the images.</p>



<p>GFW displays recent satellite imagery from Landsat (30 meter resolution) and Sentinel-2 (10 meter resolution) as well as monthly basemaps derived from Planet imagery (five meter resolution). This imagery often shows distinct patterns that provide clues to what’s driving forest loss, and comparing the imagery across years and months can paint a picture of how the land has changed over time. Here is what some of the common causes of tree cover loss look like from space:</p>



<h3>Large-scale agriculture</h3>



<p>One of easiest patterns to spot is that of large-scale
agricultural clearing. Mechanized agricultural operations will clear large
rectangular swathes, clustered together with very thin strips of tree cover
left to divide plots.</p>



<p>Different crops can also be detected by distinct characteristics
present within these rectangular expanses. “Row crops” like soy or corn tend to
show lines of planting—thin alternating strips of brown and light green.</p>



<iframe width="670" height="490" frameborder="0" src="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/embed/map?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOmZhbHNlLCJzaG93QW5hbHlzaXMiOmZhbHNlLCJoaWRlTGVnZW5kIjpmYWxzZX0%3D&map=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%3D&menu=eyJkYXRhc2V0Q2F0ZWdvcnkiOiJmb3Jlc3RDaGFuZ2UiLCJtZW51U2VjdGlvbiI6IiJ9"></iframe>



<p>Oil palm, and other tree crops show a different pattern.
Mature oil palms look similar to healthy, natural forests from above, but may
have obvious lines of trees or regular patterns or thin dirt roads separating
the rectangular plots. Because it takes a few years for palms to reach their
full height, it is also common to see some rectangles in tan earth or varying
shades of green side by side, indicating recent clearing and young trees.</p>



<iframe width="670" height="490" frameborder="0" src="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/embed/map/country/IDN/24/5?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOmZhbHNlLCJoaWRlUGFuZWxzIjpmYWxzZSwic2hvd0FuYWx5c2lzIjpmYWxzZSwiaGlkZUxlZ2VuZCI6ZmFsc2V9&map=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%3D%3D&menu=eyJkYXRhc2V0Q2F0ZWdvcnkiOiJmb3Jlc3RDaGFuZ2UiLCJtZW51U2VjdGlvbiI6IiJ9"></iframe>



<p>Artificial intelligence methods of distinguishing different types of trees in satellite imagery are being developed to make detecting plantations of oil palm even easier. GFW has worked with <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/data-and-research/artificial-intelligence-helps-distinguish-the-forest-from-the-trees-part-1?utm_campaign=gfw&utm_source=gfwblog&utm_medium=hyperlink&utm_term=orbitalinsights_11_2018" target="_blank">Orbital Insights</a> to train an algorithm to recognize the presence of oil palm from the imagery. Additionally, the distinct star shape the palms form from above is visible using GFW’s satellite basemap, which provides extremely high-resolution imagery. Examining these shapes, alongside other indicators can be a quick way to distinguish palm plantations from natural forests. </p>



<div class="imagecenter"><img class=" wp-image-3569 alignright" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="oil palm from above." src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/OilPalm-Kampar_Riau_IND_CU.png" width="100%">Rows of oil palm visible in satellite basemap.</div>



<h3>Pasture land</h3>



<p> Cattle pasture can be difficult to distinguish from other land uses, as cattle grazing is often the initial default for cleared lands, so there is no single signature for grazing land in satellite imagery. But in regions where large-scale cattle operations are the primary industry, like the Paraguayan Chaco or parts of Brazil, pasture appears in well-defined geometric shapes with distinct edges. These clearings are often separated from roads by strips of remaining forest, stray shrubs dot old pasture and cattle trails can sometimes be seen crisscrossing the landscape. </p>



<div class="imagecenter"><img class=" wp-image-3569 alignright" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="Pasture land in Brazil" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PastureImg.jpg" width="100%"></div>



<h3>Small-scale cultivation</h3>



<p>Smaller forms of agriculture are much less geometric. Smallholder farms appear in a patchwork of brown and green, often spreading out from roads, rivers or more dense population centers. Cleared areas sometimes still retain a speckling of forest cover. </p>



<iframe width="670" height="490" frameborder="0" src="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/embed/map?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOnRydWUsInNob3dBbmFseXNpcyI6ZmFsc2UsImhpZGVMZWdlbmQiOmZhbHNlLCJzaG93UmVjZW50SW1hZ2VyeSI6ZmFsc2UsImhpZGVQYW5lbHMiOnRydWV9&map=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%3D%3D&menu=eyJkYXRhc2V0Q2F0ZWdvcnkiOiJmb3Jlc3RDaGFuZ2UiLCJtZW51U2VjdGlvbiI6IiJ9&recentImagery=eyJzZWxlY3RlZEluZGV4IjowLCJzZWxlY3RlZCI6bnVsbCwiY2xvdWRzIjoyNX0%3D"></iframe>



<p>This community level cultivation can sometimes take unique
forms in different regions. For example, in Bolivia, near the city of Santa
Cruz de la Sierra, a unique radial pattern of clearing is visible. Communities
have settled in the center of these starburst shapes and farm the wedges of
land spreading out from the village. Often patches of forest are left standing
to separate different communities’ lands. </p>



<div class="imagecenter"><img class=" wp-image-3569 alignright" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="unique pattern of small-scale agriculture in Bolivia" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/RadialSettlement-ÑuflodeChávez_SantaCruz_BOL.png" width="100%">Pink areas indicate tree cover loss.</div>



<h3>Fire</h3>



<p>In humid tropical forests, nearly all fires are human-caused,
some set illegally and others the result of flames escaping from nearby
cultivated lands where fire is used as a tool to prepare the land for planting.
Fire can be one of the more difficult patterns to identify in the imagery. Edges
of the burning are often indistinct and ragged, and smoke from larger fires
sometimes obscures the satellites’ view for weeks.</p>



<p>But once the smoke has cleared, burn scars can be identified by their organic shapes, often spreading out from areas of human activity. Recently burned patches can be deep brown or black in color. Comparing the area with recent fire alerts can help confirm the cause of the loss.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed" data-src="visualisation/1128749?1380"></div><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script>



<h3>Floods</h3>



<p>Floods, like fires, can be similarly difficult to identify, given their unpredictable patterns. Wide-spread&nbsp;tree cover loss near rivers or lakes, however, is highly likely to have been caused by water spilling over its banks. To confirm loss due to flood, it can be helpful to compare images of the area across time. </p>



<p>The construction of this dam in Cameroon caused the flooding of a significant portion of this river valley. Comparing Landsat imagery from 2015 (prior to the completion of the dam) to current imagery, shows the expansion of the river into a wide, dark lake downstream.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed" data-src="visualisation/1128741?1380"></div><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script>



<h3>Mining</h3>



<p>Mining is one of the most destructive clearing patterns.
Mines for gold, copper and other minerals will strip back many layers of earth
in addition to clearing any trees growing in the area in order to access the
deposits underneath. This kind of open pit mine leaves gouges in the landscape
that contrast starkly with surrounding forests in the imagery. 

Madre de Dios, Peru experienced an explosion of
illegal gold mining along its rivers that has torn up large areas of Amazonian
rainforest. The mining operations show up in the imagery as massive strips of
circular pits, some filled with water or tailings.



</p>



<div class="imagecenter"><img class=" wp-image-3569 alignright" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="Mining in Tambopata Peru" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mining-Tambopata_MadredeDios_PRU.png" width="100%"></div>



<p>As satellite technology improves, our ability to automate the detection of different patterns in the imagery and the insights we can gain into the drivers of tree cover loss will expand alongside it. To explore recent satellite imagery, visit <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOmZhbHNlLCJzaG93QW5hbHlzaXMiOmZhbHNlLCJoaWRlTGVnZW5kIjp0cnVlfQ%3D%3D&map=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&utm_campaign=gfw&utm_source=gfwblog&utm_medium=hyperlink&utm_term=satellitepatterns_12_2019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">GFW</a>.</p>



<hr> 

<div class="attribute" style="”padding-bottom:" 10px;”=""> 
Editor’s Note: Details were added to the “pasture” section on 1/3/2020 to provide clarity on where distinct patterns for cattle are most often identified.

</div> 

 

<hr>



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

Fires, Floods and Farming as Seen by Satellites

<p>Satellites, constantly orbiting around our planet, see just about everything. Which means that when a tree falls in a forest, satellites know about it. <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOmZhbHNlLCJzaG93QW5hbHlzaXMiOmZhbHNlLCJoaWRlTGVnZW5kIjp0cnVlfQ%3D%3D&amp;map=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&amp;utm_campaign=gfw&amp;utm_source=gfwblog&amp;utm_medium=hyperlink&amp;utm_term=satellitepatterns_12_2019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Global Forest Watch’s (opens in a new tab)">Global Forest Watch’s</a> (GFW) tree cover loss data, derived from NASA satellite imagery, can pinpoint where trees have fallen around the world. To help us understand what might have caused this tree cover loss, we can turn directly to the images.</p>



<p>GFW displays recent satellite imagery from Landsat (30 meter resolution) and Sentinel-2 (10 meter resolution) as well as monthly basemaps derived from Planet imagery (five meter resolution). This imagery often shows distinct patterns that provide clues to what’s driving forest loss, and comparing the imagery across years and months can paint a picture of how the land has changed over time. Here is what some of the common causes of tree cover loss look like from space:</p>



<h3>Large-scale agriculture</h3>



<p>One of easiest patterns to spot is that of large-scale
agricultural clearing. Mechanized agricultural operations will clear large
rectangular swathes, clustered together with very thin strips of tree cover
left to divide plots.</p>



<p>Different crops can also be detected by distinct characteristics
present within these rectangular expanses. “Row crops” like soy or corn tend to
show lines of planting—thin alternating strips of brown and light green.</p>



<iframe width="670" height="490" frameborder="0" src="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/embed/map?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOmZhbHNlLCJzaG93QW5hbHlzaXMiOmZhbHNlLCJoaWRlTGVnZW5kIjpmYWxzZX0%3D&amp;map=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%3D&amp;menu=eyJkYXRhc2V0Q2F0ZWdvcnkiOiJmb3Jlc3RDaGFuZ2UiLCJtZW51U2VjdGlvbiI6IiJ9"></iframe>



<p>Oil palm, and other tree crops show a different pattern.
Mature oil palms look similar to healthy, natural forests from above, but may
have obvious lines of trees or regular patterns or thin dirt roads separating
the rectangular plots. Because it takes a few years for palms to reach their
full height, it is also common to see some rectangles in tan earth or varying
shades of green side by side, indicating recent clearing and young trees.</p>



<iframe width="670" height="490" frameborder="0" src="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/embed/map/country/IDN/24/5?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOmZhbHNlLCJoaWRlUGFuZWxzIjpmYWxzZSwic2hvd0FuYWx5c2lzIjpmYWxzZSwiaGlkZUxlZ2VuZCI6ZmFsc2V9&amp;map=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%3D%3D&amp;menu=eyJkYXRhc2V0Q2F0ZWdvcnkiOiJmb3Jlc3RDaGFuZ2UiLCJtZW51U2VjdGlvbiI6IiJ9"></iframe>



<p>Artificial intelligence methods of distinguishing different types of trees in satellite imagery are being developed to make detecting plantations of oil palm even easier. GFW has worked with <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/data-and-research/artificial-intelligence-helps-distinguish-the-forest-from-the-trees-part-1?utm_campaign=gfw&amp;utm_source=gfwblog&amp;utm_medium=hyperlink&amp;utm_term=orbitalinsights_11_2018" target="_blank">Orbital Insights</a> to train an algorithm to recognize the presence of oil palm from the imagery. Additionally, the distinct star shape the palms form from above is visible using GFW’s satellite basemap, which provides extremely high-resolution imagery. Examining these shapes, alongside other indicators can be a quick way to distinguish palm plantations from natural forests. </p>



<div class="imagecenter"><img class=" wp-image-3569 alignright" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="oil palm from above." src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/OilPalm-Kampar_Riau_IND_CU.png" width="100%">Rows of oil palm visible in satellite basemap.</div>



<h3>Pasture land</h3>



<p> Cattle pasture can be difficult to distinguish from other land uses, as cattle grazing is often the initial default for cleared lands, so there is no single signature for grazing land in satellite imagery. But in regions where large-scale cattle operations are the primary industry, like the Paraguayan Chaco or parts of Brazil, pasture appears in well-defined geometric shapes with distinct edges. These clearings are often separated from roads by strips of remaining forest, stray shrubs dot old pasture and cattle trails can sometimes be seen crisscrossing the landscape. </p>



<div class="imagecenter"><img class=" wp-image-3569 alignright" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="Pasture land in Brazil" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PastureImg.jpg" width="100%"></div>



<h3>Small-scale cultivation</h3>



<p>Smaller forms of agriculture are much less geometric. Smallholder farms appear in a patchwork of brown and green, often spreading out from roads, rivers or more dense population centers. Cleared areas sometimes still retain a speckling of forest cover. </p>



<iframe width="670" height="490" frameborder="0" src="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/embed/map?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOnRydWUsInNob3dBbmFseXNpcyI6ZmFsc2UsImhpZGVMZWdlbmQiOmZhbHNlLCJzaG93UmVjZW50SW1hZ2VyeSI6ZmFsc2UsImhpZGVQYW5lbHMiOnRydWV9&amp;map=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%3D%3D&amp;menu=eyJkYXRhc2V0Q2F0ZWdvcnkiOiJmb3Jlc3RDaGFuZ2UiLCJtZW51U2VjdGlvbiI6IiJ9&amp;recentImagery=eyJzZWxlY3RlZEluZGV4IjowLCJzZWxlY3RlZCI6bnVsbCwiY2xvdWRzIjoyNX0%3D"></iframe>



<p>This community level cultivation can sometimes take unique
forms in different regions. For example, in Bolivia, near the city of Santa
Cruz de la Sierra, a unique radial pattern of clearing is visible. Communities
have settled in the center of these starburst shapes and farm the wedges of
land spreading out from the village. Often patches of forest are left standing
to separate different communities’ lands. </p>



<div class="imagecenter"><img class=" wp-image-3569 alignright" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="unique pattern of small-scale agriculture in Bolivia" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/RadialSettlement-ÑuflodeChávez_SantaCruz_BOL.png" width="100%">Pink areas indicate tree cover loss.</div>



<h3>Fire</h3>



<p>In humid tropical forests, nearly all fires are human-caused,
some set illegally and others the result of flames escaping from nearby
cultivated lands where fire is used as a tool to prepare the land for planting.
Fire can be one of the more difficult patterns to identify in the imagery. Edges
of the burning are often indistinct and ragged, and smoke from larger fires
sometimes obscures the satellites’ view for weeks.</p>



<p>But once the smoke has cleared, burn scars can be identified by their organic shapes, often spreading out from areas of human activity. Recently burned patches can be deep brown or black in color. Comparing the area with recent fire alerts can help confirm the cause of the loss.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed" data-src="visualisation/1128749?1380"></div><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script>



<h3>Floods</h3>



<p>Floods, like fires, can be similarly difficult to identify, given their unpredictable patterns. Wide-spread&nbsp;tree cover loss near rivers or lakes, however, is highly likely to have been caused by water spilling over its banks. To confirm loss due to flood, it can be helpful to compare images of the area across time. </p>



<p>The construction of this dam in Cameroon caused the flooding of a significant portion of this river valley. Comparing Landsat imagery from 2015 (prior to the completion of the dam) to current imagery, shows the expansion of the river into a wide, dark lake downstream.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed" data-src="visualisation/1128741?1380"></div><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script>



<h3>Mining</h3>



<p>Mining is one of the most destructive clearing patterns.
Mines for gold, copper and other minerals will strip back many layers of earth
in addition to clearing any trees growing in the area in order to access the
deposits underneath. This kind of open pit mine leaves gouges in the landscape
that contrast starkly with surrounding forests in the imagery. 

Madre de Dios, Peru experienced an explosion of
illegal gold mining along its rivers that has torn up large areas of Amazonian
rainforest. The mining operations show up in the imagery as massive strips of
circular pits, some filled with water or tailings.



</p>



<div class="imagecenter"><img class=" wp-image-3569 alignright" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="Mining in Tambopata Peru" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mining-Tambopata_MadredeDios_PRU.png" width="100%"></div>



<p>As satellite technology improves, our ability to automate the detection of different patterns in the imagery and the insights we can gain into the drivers of tree cover loss will expand alongside it. To explore recent satellite imagery, visit <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map?mainMap=eyJzaG93QmFzZW1hcHMiOmZhbHNlLCJzaG93QW5hbHlzaXMiOmZhbHNlLCJoaWRlTGVnZW5kIjp0cnVlfQ%3D%3D&amp;map=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&amp;utm_campaign=gfw&amp;utm_source=gfwblog&amp;utm_medium=hyperlink&amp;utm_term=satellitepatterns_12_2019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">GFW</a>.</p>



<hr> 

<div class="attribute" style="”padding-bottom:" 10px;”=""> 
Editor's Note: Details were added to the "pasture" section on 1/3/2020 to provide clarity on where distinct patterns for cattle are most often identified.

</div> 

 

<hr>

Angola

drought

India

Philippines

pollution

water

<p>By <a href="http://www.wri.org/profile/yiyuan-qin" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yiyuan Jasmine Qin</a> and <a href="http://www.wri.org/profile/todd-gartner" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Todd Gartner</a>  <a href="http://blog.cifor.org/26559/the-science-is-clear-forest-loss-behind-brazils-drought?fnl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Drought in Sao Paulo</a>. <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/problems-of-deforestation-and-soil-erosion-in-himalayas/1/436485.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flooding in the Himalayas</a>. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/26/sumatra-borneo-deforestation-tigers-palm-oil" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">And pollution in Sumatra</a>. These three distinct water crises have a common cause—degradation in forests.  That’s because upstream forests, wetlands and other “natural infrastructure” play a critical role in supplying clean water downstream. They stabilize soil and reduce erosion, regulate water flow to mitigate floods and droughts, and purify water. Yet the world’s major watersheds lost 6 percent of their tree cover on average from 2000-2014, putting citizens at risk of losing their water supplies. </p>
<div class="center"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-4155" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="alt text" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/16_INFO_GFW_WATER_blog-01.png" width="100%" /></div>
<p> <a href="http://water.globalforestwatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Global Forest Watch (GFW) Water</a>, a global mapping tool and database launched today, examines how forest loss, fires, unsustainable land use and other threats to natural infrastructure affect water security throughout the world. GFW Water provides data sets, statistics and risk scores for all of the world’s 230 watersheds, areas of land where all of the water drains to a common outlet such as a river. Users can drop a pin anywhere to learn about the risks to the water supply near them, and find resources on how investing in natural infrastructure protection can help alleviate these threats. </p>
<div class="textboxright">  <strong>Who Can Use GFW Water?</strong>  GFW Water allows anyone with internet access, regardless of expertise, to visualize critical watershed information and threats, and screen for cost-effective, sustainable natural infrastructure solutions. For example: </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Downstream utilities, municipalities, businesses and others who make infrastructure investments</strong> can identify risks and explore natural infrastructure options and find information to improve operations and protect water at a lower cost.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Finance and development institutions</strong> can gather data, explore trends and gain insights about the regions they support to develop a pipeline of investable opportunities to enhance water security and bolster economic development.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Researchers and civil society</strong> can use data to support their projects and find the information needed to advance their research and campaigns to protect watersheds.</li>
</ul></div>
<p> Findings from GFW Water reveal some of the watersheds most threatened by forest loss, fires and erosions: </p>
<h3>Recent Forest Loss in Sumatra, Indonesia Watershed</h3>
<p> As forests are cut down or converted to other land uses, their ability to regulate flow and purify water diminishes, putting communities at risk of flood, drought, higher water treatment costs and greater incidence of drinking water contamination.  The watershed of <a href="http://water.globalforestwatch.org/report/index.html?fid=W_5027&canopyDensity=30" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sumatra, Indonesia</a> experienced the most forest loss from 2000-2014, losing more than 22 percent of its forest cover (8 million hectares, or an area about the size of South Carolina). <a href="http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/7/3/034010;jsessionid=47BA57809D78C31C9158895AC1F851EB.c4.iopscience.cld.iop.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Research</a> shows that agricultural expansion, logging and infrastructure extension as a result of expanding global markets for pulp, timber and oil palm are among the major drivers. <a href="http://www.goldmanprize.org/blog/clearing-way-plantations-land-grabs-deforestation-and-endangered-species/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Forest clearing in the region</a> has intensified floods, landslides, fires and water pollution. </p>
<div class="center"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-4155" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="alt text" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/GFW_Water_blog_Sumatra.png" width="100%" /></div>
<p> Natural infrastructure approaches can mitigate and prevent further damage in watersheds like Sumatra.  Establishing conservation zones, engaging in agroforestry and other sustainable forestry practices and regulating road development can help. </p>
<h3>Historical Forest Loss in Krishna, India Watershed</h3>
<p> Forest loss that took place decades ago—prior to 2000— also leads to changes in water flow, higher sediment levels and more, and the impacts are often more uncertain compared to recent forest loss. </p>
<div class="center"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-4155" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="alt text" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/GFW_Water_blog_India.png" width="100%" /></div>
<p> According to GFW Water, watersheds lost more than half of their forests prior to 2000. The watershed of <a href="http://water.globalforestwatch.org/report/index.html?fid=W_5041&canopyDensity=30" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Krishna, India</a> was once covered by forests, but fewer than 3 percent of these trees remain today as a result of urbanization and cropland expansion. Communities in the area suffer from frequent <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=40601" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">droughts and floods</a>, as well as high levels of <a href="http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/Publications/IWMI_Research_Reports/PDF/PUB111/RR111.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">water pollution</a> from agricultural runoff. Sedimentation is a <a href="http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/Publications/IWMI_Research_Reports/PDF/PUB111/RR111.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recurring challenge</a> to reservoirs and dams.  Planting new seedlings in deforested areas, enhancing natural forest generation, and integrating trees with crops and ranchlands could help watersheds like Krishna. </p>
<h3>Erosion in the Philippines Watershed</h3>
<p> Erosion is a significant problem that affects both water quality and quantity. High erosion deteriorates water quality and reduces reservoir capacity, increasing the cost of water treatment and the risk of contamination. High erosion risk is usually linked to erodible soil, intense rainfall, steep topography and conversion of forest and other natural lands to pasture, cropland and more. </p>
<div class="center"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-4155" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="alt text" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/GFW_Water_blog_Philipines.png" width="100%" /></div>
<p> <a href="http://water.globalforestwatch.org/report/index.html?fid=W_5034&canopyDensity=30" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Philippines</a> watershed faces some of the highest erosion rates as a result of highly erodible soil, a long and intense rainy season, mountainous landscapes and expansive agriculture. The region frequently suffers from landslides. In 2006, following days of heavy rain, <a href="http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/News.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a massive mudslide</a> occurred in the province of Southern Leyte, causing widespread damage and loss of life.  Planting or maintaining vegetation along roads and waterways to capture sediments and pollutants; creating barriers on steep slopes to slow soil movement; and reducing the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste and other agricultural products entering waterways can help watersheds threatened with erosion. </p>
<h3>Fires in Angola, Coast Watershed</h3>
<p> Fires are a common disturbance in some forests, damaging both watersheds and communities nearby. High intensity or large fires can increase agricultural runoff, cause erosion and kill trees, all of which can negatively impact water quality and flow. </p>
<div class="center"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-4155" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="alt text" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/GFW_Water_blog_Angola.png" width="100%" /></div>
<p> In the watershed of <a href="http://water.globalforestwatch.org/report/index.html?fid=W_7023&canopyDensity=30" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Angola, Coast</a>, NASA satellites detected more than 130,000 fire occurrences annually for the past 10 years. Over the past 24 hours alone, there were 267 fire alerts (data retrieved on August 29, 2016). This is a common occurrence in <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-05/nsfc-afi052115.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">western Africa</a> as farmers often use fire to fertilize soil and clear the field of unwanted vegetation.  In areas like western Africa where fires are deliberately set to manage land, alternative solutions such as growing crops in between woody plants can help prevent unwanted vegetation while bringing other benefits like improved crop production and erosion control. In regions like California where dense forests fuel catastrophic wildfire, mechanical forest thinning and controlled burns can reduce wildfire severity and related sediment and ash pollution.  In the face of growing water challenges, we need cost-effective, sustainable solutions. Sometimes investing in nature is the best way to solve complex problems.  <em>To learn more about the methodology behind GFW Water, please refer to <a href="http://www.wri.org/publication/GFW_Water_metadata" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Global Forest Watch Water Metadata Document</a>.</em>  </p>
<hr />
<div class="attribute">  This post originally appeared on <a href="http://www.wri.org/blog/2016/08/watersheds-lost-22-their-forests-14-years-heres-how-it-affects-your-water-supply" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WRI Insights</a>.  BANNER PHOTO by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/10332960@N03/4567156789/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">John Blower</a> (license information <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>).  </div>
<hr />
<style type="text/css"></style>

Watersheds Lost Up to 22% of Their Forests in 14 Years. Here’s How it Affects Your Water Supply

By <a href="http://www.wri.org/profile/yiyuan-qin" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yiyuan Jasmine Qin</a> and <a href="http://www.wri.org/profile/todd-gartner" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Todd Gartner</a>  <a href="http://blog.cifor.org/26559/the-science-is-clear-forest-loss-behind-brazils-drought?fnl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Drought in Sao Paulo</a>. <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/problems-of-deforestation-and-soil-erosion-in-himalayas/1/436485.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flooding in the Himalayas</a>. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/26/sumatra-borneo-deforestation-tigers-palm-oil" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">And pollution in Sumatra</a>. These three distinct water crises have a common cause—degradation in forests.  That’s because upstream forests, wetlands and other “natural infrastructure” play a critical role in supplying clean water downstream. They stabilize soil and reduce erosion, regulate water flow to mitigate floods and droughts, and purify water. Yet the world’s major watersheds lost 6 percent of their tree cover on average from 2000-2014, putting citizens at risk of losing their water supplies. <div class="center"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-4155" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="alt text" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/16_INFO_GFW_WATER_blog-01.png" width="100%" /></div> <a href="http://water.globalforestwatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Global Forest Watch (GFW) Water</a>, a global mapping tool and database launched today, examines how forest loss, fires, unsustainable land use and other threats to natural infrastructure affect water security throughout the world. GFW Water provides data sets, statistics and risk scores for all of the world’s 230 watersheds, areas of land where all of the water drains to a common outlet such as a river. Users can drop a pin anywhere to learn about the risks to the water supply near them, and find resources on how investing in natural infrastructure protection can help alleviate these threats. <div class="textboxright">  <strong>Who Can Use GFW Water?</strong>  GFW Water allows anyone with internet access, regardless of expertise, to visualize critical watershed information and threats, and screen for cost-effective, sustainable natural infrastructure solutions. For example: <ul> 	<li><strong>Downstream utilities, municipalities, businesses and others who make infrastructure investments</strong> can identify risks and explore natural infrastructure options and find information to improve operations and protect water at a lower cost.</li> </ul> <ul> 	<li><strong>Finance and development institutions</strong> can gather data, explore trends and gain insights about the regions they support to develop a pipeline of investable opportunities to enhance water security and bolster economic development.</li> </ul> <ul> 	<li><strong>Researchers and civil society</strong> can use data to support their projects and find the information needed to advance their research and campaigns to protect watersheds.</li> </ul> </div> Findings from GFW Water reveal some of the watersheds most threatened by forest loss, fires and erosions: <h3>Recent Forest Loss in Sumatra, Indonesia Watershed</h3> As forests are cut down or converted to other land uses, their ability to regulate flow and purify water diminishes, putting communities at risk of flood, drought, higher water treatment costs and greater incidence of drinking water contamination.  The watershed of <a href="http://water.globalforestwatch.org/report/index.html?fid=W_5027&amp;canopyDensity=30" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sumatra, Indonesia</a> experienced the most forest loss from 2000-2014, losing more than 22 percent of its forest cover (8 million hectares, or an area about the size of South Carolina). <a href="http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/7/3/034010;jsessionid=47BA57809D78C31C9158895AC1F851EB.c4.iopscience.cld.iop.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Research</a> shows that agricultural expansion, logging and infrastructure extension as a result of expanding global markets for pulp, timber and oil palm are among the major drivers. <a href="http://www.goldmanprize.org/blog/clearing-way-plantations-land-grabs-deforestation-and-endangered-species/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Forest clearing in the region</a> has intensified floods, landslides, fires and water pollution. <div class="center"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-4155" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="alt text" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/GFW_Water_blog_Sumatra.png" width="100%" /></div> Natural infrastructure approaches can mitigate and prevent further damage in watersheds like Sumatra.  Establishing conservation zones, engaging in agroforestry and other sustainable forestry practices and regulating road development can help. <h3>Historical Forest Loss in Krishna, India Watershed</h3> Forest loss that took place decades ago—prior to 2000— also leads to changes in water flow, higher sediment levels and more, and the impacts are often more uncertain compared to recent forest loss. <div class="center"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-4155" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="alt text" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/GFW_Water_blog_India.png" width="100%" /></div> According to GFW Water, watersheds lost more than half of their forests prior to 2000. The watershed of <a href="http://water.globalforestwatch.org/report/index.html?fid=W_5041&amp;canopyDensity=30" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Krishna, India</a> was once covered by forests, but fewer than 3 percent of these trees remain today as a result of urbanization and cropland expansion. Communities in the area suffer from frequent <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=40601" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">droughts and floods</a>, as well as high levels of <a href="http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/Publications/IWMI_Research_Reports/PDF/PUB111/RR111.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">water pollution</a> from agricultural runoff. Sedimentation is a <a href="http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/Publications/IWMI_Research_Reports/PDF/PUB111/RR111.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recurring challenge</a> to reservoirs and dams.  Planting new seedlings in deforested areas, enhancing natural forest generation, and integrating trees with crops and ranchlands could help watersheds like Krishna. <h3>Erosion in the Philippines Watershed</h3> Erosion is a significant problem that affects both water quality and quantity. High erosion deteriorates water quality and reduces reservoir capacity, increasing the cost of water treatment and the risk of contamination. High erosion risk is usually linked to erodible soil, intense rainfall, steep topography and conversion of forest and other natural lands to pasture, cropland and more. <div class="center"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-4155" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="alt text" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/GFW_Water_blog_Philipines.png" width="100%" /></div> <a href="http://water.globalforestwatch.org/report/index.html?fid=W_5034&amp;canopyDensity=30" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Philippines</a> watershed faces some of the highest erosion rates as a result of highly erodible soil, a long and intense rainy season, mountainous landscapes and expansive agriculture. The region frequently suffers from landslides. In 2006, following days of heavy rain, <a href="http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/News.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a massive mudslide</a> occurred in the province of Southern Leyte, causing widespread damage and loss of life.  Planting or maintaining vegetation along roads and waterways to capture sediments and pollutants; creating barriers on steep slopes to slow soil movement; and reducing the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste and other agricultural products entering waterways can help watersheds threatened with erosion. <h3>Fires in Angola, Coast Watershed</h3> Fires are a common disturbance in some forests, damaging both watersheds and communities nearby. High intensity or large fires can increase agricultural runoff, cause erosion and kill trees, all of which can negatively impact water quality and flow. <div class="center"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-4155" style="padding-bottom: 10px;" alt="alt text" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/GFW_Water_blog_Angola.png" width="100%" /></div> In the watershed of <a href="http://water.globalforestwatch.org/report/index.html?fid=W_7023&amp;canopyDensity=30" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Angola, Coast</a>, NASA satellites detected more than 130,000 fire occurrences annually for the past 10 years. Over the past 24 hours alone, there were 267 fire alerts (data retrieved on August 29, 2016). This is a common occurrence in <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-05/nsfc-afi052115.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">western Africa</a> as farmers often use fire to fertilize soil and clear the field of unwanted vegetation.  In areas like western Africa where fires are deliberately set to manage land, alternative solutions such as growing crops in between woody plants can help prevent unwanted vegetation while bringing other benefits like improved crop production and erosion control. In regions like California where dense forests fuel catastrophic wildfire, mechanical forest thinning and controlled burns can reduce wildfire severity and related sediment and ash pollution.  In the face of growing water challenges, we need cost-effective, sustainable solutions. Sometimes investing in nature is the best way to solve complex problems.  <em>To learn more about the methodology behind GFW Water, please refer to <a href="http://www.wri.org/publication/GFW_Water_metadata" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Global Forest Watch Water Metadata Document</a>.</em>  <hr />  <div class="attribute">  This post originally appeared on <a href="http://www.wri.org/blog/2016/08/watersheds-lost-22-their-forests-14-years-heres-how-it-affects-your-water-supply" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WRI Insights</a>.  BANNER PHOTO by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/10332960@N03/4567156789/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">John Blower</a> (license information <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>).  </div>  <hr />  <style type="text/css"></style>