U.N. data suggests slowdown in forest loss

Highly anticipated data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) shows that global forest loss has slowed significantly over the past five years relative to the 1990s and 2000s.

The report, released Monday at the World Forestry Congress in Durban, is based on data provided to FAO by 234 countries and territories. Unlike other recent analyses, the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015 relies primarily on self-reported data, rather than satellite data, providing a different view on trends in forest cover and management.

The report says that net loss of natural forest loss globally declined by more than a fifth from 8.5 million hectares per year in the 1990s to 6.6 million hectares per year between 2010-2015. The bulk of that loss over the past five years occurred in the tropics, led by Brazil, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

This report was originally published in Mongobay and republished by an agreement to share content.

Click here to read the original article.