There has been much excitement over the last couple of weeks around the publication of a new map of global deforestation. The map is important because it is the first ever high-resolution map of global deforestation, and because previous estimates have relied on smaller-scale studies and the reporting of deforestation rates by governments.
The new map comes about as a result of a collaborative project led by Mathew Hansen at the University of Maryland, but involving researchers from all over the world including scientists from Google and NASA. You can explore the map yourself and read the findings.
Firstly, the map is pretty shocking. The map above shows where forest loss has occurred in Borneo between 2000 and 2012. Not only does it cover all but the very interior of Borneo but this is also likely to be a serious underestimate. Consider that the map is not showing the extent of deforestation, but new deforestation and unfortunately, much of Borneo had already been completely destroyed before the year 2000.
BRINCC often uses a UNEP map on our website and promotional material (below) which shows the estimated levels of intact forest from 1950 and the predicted forest cover in 2020. It might seem that such a map is shock-tactic designed to scare people, but a look at the Hansen map at it shows that current rates of deforestation are exactly what was predicted, and if anything, the rates of deforestation are even greater than previously predicted.
On BRINCC Expedition 2011 we conducted the first systematic biodiversity surveys of the region while also working with the local communities to understand how they depend on the forest for their livelihoods, income and resource use. We are already starting to see the change we have feared. Plans are afoot for major new coal mines in the region, and the proposed new coal-railway is going to make it easier and easier for companies to mine in the region.
BRINCC intends to continue to work with the local communities and local government to do everything we can to stem the tide of this wave of deforestation, and to make sure that if/when it does happen, it is done in a way that minimizes harm and maximizes benefits to local communities and biodiversity.