The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has published the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020.
This assessment, conducted from 1990 to 2020, comprehensively examines the status and trends of over 60 variables related to forests across 236 countries and territories.
KEY FINDINGS
- Over the past three decades, there has been a global decline in forest area.Â
- The world witnessed a loss of 178 million hectares of forest since 1990, equivalent to the size of Libya.
- However, there is a positive trend in the rate of forest loss, attributed to the growth of sustainable management practices.Â
- The estimated rate of forest loss from 2015 to 2020 decreased to 10 million hectares, a decline from the 12 million hectares recorded in the period of 2010-2015.
- While naturally regenerating forests worldwide have experienced a decrease since 1990, there has been a noteworthy increase in the area covered by planted forests, with an expansion of 123 million hectares.
HIGHEST LOSS AND HIGHEST GAIN
- The continent of Africa recorded the highest annual rate of net forest loss from 2010 to 2020, amounting to 3.9 million hectares, while South America followed closely with a loss of 2.6 million hectares.
- In contrast, Asia led with the highest net gain of forest area in the same timeframe, followed by Oceania and Europe.
GEOGRAPHICAL EXTENT
- The global forest area accounted for 4.06 billion hectares (bha), constituting 31 percent of the total land area.Â
- This equated to approximately 0.52 hectares per person.
- Tropical forests comprised the largest share globally, making up 45 percent, followed by boreal, temperate, and subtropical forests.Â
- Notably, over 54 percent of the world’s forests were concentrated in just five countries — the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, and China.
- The highest percentage of plantation forests was observed in South America, while Europe reported the lowest proportion.
As per the FRA 2020, the top 10 countries that have documented the highest average annual net gains in forest area during 2010-2020 include:
- China
- Australia
- India
- Chile
- Vietnam
FAQs – Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020
1. What is the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 (FRA 2020)?
A: The FRA 2020 is a comprehensive report released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), spanning the years 1990 to 2020. It analyzes and presents the status and trends of more than 60 variables related to forests across 236 countries and territories.
2. What are the key findings of the FRA 2020?
A: Over the last three decades, there has been a global decline in forest area, with a loss of 178 million hectares, equivalent to the size of Libya. However, the rate of forest loss has shown improvement, decreasing to 10 million hectares from 2015 to 2020, compared to 12 million hectares in 2010-2015. Notably, there is an increase in planted forest areas by 123 million hectares.
3. Which continents experienced the highest forest loss and gain?
A: Africa recorded the highest annual rate of net forest loss from 2010 to 2020, at 3.9 million hectares, followed by South America at 2.6 million hectares. Conversely, Asia led with the highest net gain of forest area during the same period, followed by Oceania and Europe.
4. What is the geographical extent of global forests?
A: The total global forest area is 4.06 billion hectares, constituting 31 percent of the total land area. This equates to approximately 0.52 hectares per person. Tropical forests make up the largest share globally, accounting for 45 percent, followed by boreal, temperate, and subtropical forests. Over 54 percent of the world’s forests are concentrated in five countries: the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, and China.
5. Which countries have documented the highest average annual net gains in forest area (2010-2020)?
A: The top 10 countries include China, Australia, India, Chile, and Vietnam, as per the FRA 2020.
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