By Dominic Rowland
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.
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.
Red shows tree cover loss from 2000-2012 Source Hansen et al (2013), Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.1244693.
So what does this all mean for BRINCC?
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.
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.
Estimated past and future forest loss in Borneo. Souce: UNEP
Secondly it indicates that BRINCC was right in our predictions. We recognized back in 2009 that the lowlands of Kalimantan were already seriously destroyed and that more and more and more companies were beginning to operate in the more remote and difficult regions of Central Borneo. The Global Deforestation map clearly shows that the trend over the last 12 years has been a movement of deforestation further and further into these central regions . Picture 3 shows how this spread of deforestation is occurring.
Yellow colours show tree cover loss around the year 2000, darker tones show more recent deforestation with red representing forest loss in the year 2012 Source Hansen et al (2013), Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.1244693.
One the aims of BRINCC was to conduct work the central highlands before serious damage had been caused and while the area was still relatively protected due to the lack of infrastructure and remoteness. This strategy allowed us to do two essential things. Firstly, BRINCC Expedition 2011, allowed us to establish baselines of biodiversity so we know what is at stake in these regions. Secondly, our work allows us to try to influence policy in the region to prevent the kind of rampant deforestation other parts of Borneo have suffered.
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.
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.
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