THEMATIC SLIDES

FORESTS

Tai National Park, Côte d`Ivoire Kisangani, D.R. of Congo Itampolo, Madagascar British Columbia, Canada Gaspe Peninsula, Canada Angangueo, Mexico Country Boundary, Guatemala/Mexico Olympic Peninsula, United States Washington D.C., United States

FORESTS Papua, Indonesia Demilitarized Zone, Korea Oudomxay, Laos Arkhangelsk, Russia Sakhalin, Russia Lappi, Finland Iguazú, South America Rondônia, Brazil Valdivian, Chile

FORESTS Earths shrinking forestland (Ha per capita)

FORESTS Worldwide, the total forest area in 2005 is just under 4 billion hectares; the rate of deforestation is about 13 million hectares per year. The net change in forest area in the period is estimated at -7.3 million hectares/year CIDA 2006; WRI 2005; WWF 2005 Tropical forests are home to about 50% of all plant and animal species on the planet Forests cover almost one-third of the earth's land surface; the global area of forest systems has been reduced by one half over the past three centuries Approximately 1.5 billion tonnes of wood is harvested for fuel annually worldwide Forests are among the most notable storehouses of biological diversity on the land - they house over two-thirds of known terrestrial species; they also harbour the largest share of threatened species

Deforestation in Tai National Park Côte d`Ivoire These images show deforestation rates in the area, believed to be one of the highest in the world 1988: Shows destruction of small forest fragments 2002: The lighter green strip bisecting the images is the result of extensive deforestation and intensive cultivation

Steady deforestation of dense forest cover in Kisangani, Congo 1975: The city and surrounding areas are clearly visible 2001: The cleared area around the city has grown and become consolidated, spreading along rivers and roads

Changes in narrow coastal plain of Itampolo Madagascar 1973: Shows heavily forested area, home to unique and rare plant and animal species 2001: The burning of forest to clear land for dry rice cultivation has led to disappearance of forest area (seen as tan)

Impact of logging in British Columbia Canada : Shows the impact of logging on reasonably pristine landscape

The changes in the forest due to logging between 1993 and 2000 Forests along Gaspe Peninsula Canada

Angangueo – an important habitat for monarch butterflies, Mexico 1986: Images show degradation of forest area 2001: Between 1984 and 1999, 38% of forests were degraded

Different land use practices visible across country border, Mexico/Guatemala : Conversion of forest to agriculture Now country border can be seen even from space

Disappearing temperate forests of Olympic Peninsula, United States 1974: Shows patchwork of purple and pink, indicating clear-cutting 2000: Evidence of good re-growth of trees in forest reserve areas

Dramatic tree loss in Washington D.C. United States Satellite images showing the dramatic loss of trees in the District moved Mrs. Casey to action Casey Trees Endowment Fund was created to restore the tree cover of the District of Columbia

Conversion of forests into palm plantations in Papua, Indonesia 1990: a new human presence, earth colored roads provide access to the forest 2000: rectilinear patterns cover 10,000 ha 2002: Cleared area nearly doubles since 2000

Forest in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Korea Images reveal significant burn scars in the DMZ

Deforestation in Oudomxay, Laos 1975: Image shows continuous forest cover 2000: Forest cover dotted with cleared patches

Disturbances in forest cover in Arkhangelsk Russia In some places, large sections of the forest have been clear-felled Other places show a block pattern, where sections of relatively undisturbed forest are left between clear- felled sections

Boreal forests of Sakhalin, Russia Area burned due to forest fire in Boreal region

Exploited Lappi forests in Finland Images show results of logging in the northeastern areas of the country The patches of tan in the 2002 image signify clearcut areas

Iguazú – home to endangered rain forests Argentina 1973: Forest cover is extensive throughout the region 2003: Extensive deforestation in Paraguay

Converting forests to farmlands in Rondônia Brazil Healthy natural vegetation Fishbone pattern on the landscape indicates agriculture fields Agriculture continues to replace forest cover

Regular monitoring of Amazon rainforests Almost one fifth of the Amazon rainforest has been cleared. Between August 2003 and August 2004 alone, 26, 000 square km were cleared; 6% higher than the previous 12 months Deforestation was worst in the state of Mato Grosso

Indigenous vs. exotic forests in Valdivian, Chile Small scale logging of native forests, livestock and agriculture have been replaced by large scale timber production : Show changes in land use during the last 30 years

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