Source: Global Forest Watch | South America lost 4.6M hectares of tree cover in the year 2023
Distribution of loss among 12 countries in hectares
South American Forests are dissapearing from the Map / Spotlight on Paraguay
South America, home to some of the planet’s most biodiverse and ecologically critical forests, faced an unprecedented trifecta of challenges in 2023: ongoing tree cover loss, extreme heatwaves, and devastating wildfires. The year brought stark reminders of the vulnerability of these ecosystems, with their role as global carbon sinks increasingly threatened.
Despite reductions in primary forest loss in Brazil (36%) and Colombia (49%) between 2022 and 2023, tropical deforestation remains alarmingly persistent, with 4.6 million hectares lost—equivalent to nearly 6.44 million football fields in size! The loss of primary forests is particularly devastating as these mature ecosystems are irreplaceable reservoirs of biodiversity, carbon storage, and climate regulation.
Self directed, (Developed in RISD)
Focus: Data Visualisation,R
Year: 2024 (More information to come)
Paraguay Endures Steepest Tree Cover Decline Relative to Land Area
It’s essential to distinguish tree cover loss from forest loss. Tree cover loss refers to the removal of trees, whether due to natural causes (like storms or wildfires) or human activities (like agriculture). This includes temporary losses where trees might regrow. On the other hand, forest loss indicates a more permanent land-use change, such as clearing forests for agriculture or infrastructure.
The primary drivers of this decline include agricultural expansion, particularly for soybean cultivation and livestock farming, as well as inadequate land use policies and enforcement. Deforestation has not only led to significant biodiversity loss but also contributed to increased greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change. The impact is particularly severe in the Chaco savanna, the second-largest forest after the Amazon, where fires and land clearing have intensified, threatening the region’s unique ecosystem and the communities dependent on it.