Deforestation Rate Calculator
Calculate the annual deforestation rate and project remaining forest cover given current clearing trends.
Average Annual Loss
8,000 ha/year
Average Annual Loss vs Years Between Measurements
公式
## Measuring Deforestation Deforestation rate quantifies the speed at which forest cover is being lost, typically expressed as a percentage per year. ### Formula **Annual Rate = 1 - (Current Area / Initial Area)^(1/years) x 100%** **Projected Forest = Current Area x (1 - Rate)^(Projection Years)** This compound rate formula accounts for the shrinking base over time, giving a more accurate rate than simple division.
计算示例
Forest cover dropped from 500,000 to 420,000 hectares over 10 years.
- 01Annual loss = (500,000 - 420,000) / 10 = 8,000 ha/year
- 02Compound rate = 1 - (420,000/500,000)^(1/10) = 1 - 0.9826 = 1.74%
- 03Projected forest in 20 years = 420,000 x (1 - 0.0174)^20 = 420,000 x 0.7046 = 295,932 ha
常见问题
How much forest is lost globally each year?
About 10 million hectares of forest are lost per year (net), an area roughly the size of South Korea. Gross loss is higher, offset partially by regrowth and planting.
What drives deforestation?
Agriculture (especially cattle ranching and soy/palm oil) causes about 80% of deforestation. Logging, mining, and urban expansion account for the remainder.
Can deforested land recover?
Secondary forests can regrow if land is abandoned, taking 20-50 years for canopy closure. However, full biodiversity recovery may take centuries, and some degradation is irreversible.