Stay atop the latest research and news! The Global Nature Watch blog uses data to illuminate the state of forests and other ecosystems worldwide and tells the stories of people dedicated to protecting them. Read about deforestation, fires, sustainable agriculture, management and other topics critical to the future of the world’s lands.

Global Nature Watch Blog

Stay atop the latest research and news! The Global Nature Watch blog uses data to illuminate the state of forests and other ecosystems worldwide and tells the stories of people dedicated to protecting them. Read about deforestation, fires, sustainable agriculture, management and other topics critical to the future of the world's lands.

Read about data-backed topics critical to the future of forests, including rainforests, deforestation, fires, sustainable agriculture, forest monitoring and management.

Forest News, Research & Monitoring | Global Forest Watch Blog

Global Forest Watch Content

https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/gfwGlobal.png

We are excited to announce that Global Forest Watch is becoming Global Nature Watch. Read our announcement to learn how the new name reflects the next evolution of our work, and what this means for users. <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/gfw-now-global-nature-watch/?utm_medium=notification&#038;utm_source=gfwnoticeboard&#038;utm_campaign=gnwannoucement">Learn more</a>.

News from Global Nature Watch

Users In Action

Hear stories from the forest defenders working in the field.

Users In Action | Global Forest Watch Blog

Small grants fund

Small grants fund | Global Forest Watch Blog

Stephanie Borcea

The Next Generation of Grantees: Introducing the 2026–2027 Small Grants Fund Recipients

We are excited to welcome the 11th cohort of Small Grants Fund grantees. Learn about their projects to protect the forests they know best.

Introducing the 2026–2027 Small Grants Fund Recipients

Comment

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/be19f67e91ba81d93d32ae47706dcbb8?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Paige Johnson

Forest Insights

Forest Insights | Global Forest Watch Blog

fires

fires | Global Forest Watch Blog

Sarah Parsons

How Might a ‘Super El Niño’ Affect Food, Forests and Water?

We asked four experts how this year’s El Niño may differ from past events.

How Might a ‘Super El Niño’ Affect Food, Forests and Water? | Forest Insights | Global Forest Watch Blog

Data &amp; Tools

Data &amp; Tools | Global Forest Watch Blog

Brazil

Brazil | Global Forest Watch Blog

forest change

forest change | Global Forest Watch Blog

Indoensia

Indoensia | Global Forest Watch Blog

Michelle Sims

Liz Goldman

Peter Potapov

Sarah Carter

Global Forest Watch’s 2025 Tree Cover Loss Data Explained 

Explicação dos dados da Global Forest Watch sobre a perda de cobertura arbórea de 2025

Explicación de los datos de Global Forest Watch sobre la pérdida de cobertura arbórea en 2025

Explication des données du Global Forest Watch sur la perte de la couverture arborée en 2025

Penjelasan Data Kehilangan Tutupan Pohon 2025 dari Global Forest Watch

New data shows that policy action can help reduce forest loss. What does the data measure and how does it compare to other official data?

carbon

carbon | Global Forest Watch Blog

David Gibbs

Melissa Rose

Nancy Harris

What’s New With GFW’s Forest Carbon Monitoring

Carbon monitoring data on GFW provides information on where forests are gaining or losing carbon. Read about the latest updates to the model.

What’s New With GFW’s Forest Carbon Monitoring | GFW Blog

James MacCarthy

Masha T. van der Sande

Can Forests Withstand and Recover from Wildfires?

While some forests have evolved to adapt to wildfires, more frequent and intense fires are making even resilient forests more vulnerable.

Deforestation Alerts

Deforestation Alerts | Global Forest Watch Blog

Zhen Song

Alyssa Barrett

Jessica Richter

Anika Berger

Global Forest Watch’s (GFW) deforestation alerts provide information about loss of trees in near-real-time, making them a critical tool for those working to combat deforestation. Existing alerts on GFW have been used to <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/users-in-action/indigenous-forest-monitors-reduce-deforestation/">help Indigenous and local communities</a> protect their forests, <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/indigenous-peoples-local-communities-use-satellite-data-deforestation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">halt and prosecute</a> environmental crimes and <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/users-in-action/data-protect-cameroon-mengame-gorilla-sanctuary/">protect</a> threatened <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/users-in-action/protecting-forest-habitats-mara-elephant-project/">wildlife</a>.



But previously, alerts were only available for tropical forests. Now, a <a href="https://gfw.global/401umrm">new alert system available on GFW called DIST-ALERT</a> provides alerts within forests globally as well as alerts where other ecosystems are disturbed — such as grasslands, savannas, shrublands, wetlands and crops. This new global data set makes it possible to monitor deforestation and other vegetation disturbance events as they happen around the world for the first time.



Read on to learn more about the new DIST-ALERT, how it’s different from other alerts and what’s next for alerts on GFW.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What are the new disturbance alerts?</h2>



In 2024, a groundbreaking new land surface disturbance monitoring system known as&nbsp;<a href="https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/products/opera_l3_dist-alert-hls_v1v001/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OPERA Land Surface Disturbance Alert</a>, or DIST-ALERT, was developed by the University of Maryland (UMD) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/go/opera" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA’s OPERA project</a> and funded by NASA Satellite Needs Working Group to map per pixel vegetation cover loss globally at a 30×30-meter resolution. The DIST-ALERT algorithm uses Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) satellite data that is updated every 2-4 days for each pixel on the earth, and thus the system is updated every time the satellite data is acquired and the ground is not covered by clouds or snow (<a href="https://landcarbonlab.org/insights/new-monitoring-system-land-ecosystem-disturbances/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">read more here</a> about how DIST-ALERT was developed and the methodology behind it).



DIST-ALERT shows an alert when there is an anomaly or notable reduction in vegetation cover, measured as “vegetation fraction” or percent of the ground covered by vegetation. It identifies this by comparing the new vegetation fraction estimate to the minimum fraction for the same time period over the last three years. This means that the algorithm can accommodate changes to seasonal vegetation without triggering an alert.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What new alert data is available on GFW?</h2>



The new DIST-ALERT system on GFW updates weekly and tailors the vegetation fraction level to only display alerts in areas that experience at least 30% vegetation cover loss compared to the same period over the last three years. &nbsp;



<iframe loading="lazy" width="670" height="490" frameborder="0" src="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/embed/map/?map=eyJkYXRhc2V0cyI6W3siZGF0YXNldCI6IkRJU1RfYWxlcnRzIiwib3BhY2l0eSI6MSwidmlzaWJpbGl0eSI6dHJ1ZSwibGF5ZXJzIjpbIkRJU1RfYWxlcnRzX2FsbCJdfSx7ImRhdGFzZXQiOiJwb2xpdGljYWwtYm91bmRhcmllcyIsImxheWVycyI6WyJkaXNwdXRlZC1wb2xpdGljYWwtYm91bmRhcmllcyIsInBvbGl0aWNhbC1ib3VuZGFyaWVzIl0sIm9wYWNpdHkiOjEsInZpc2liaWxpdHkiOnRydWV9LHsiZGF0YXNldCI6InRyZWUtY292ZXIiLCJsYXllcnMiOlsidHJlZS1jb3Zlci0yMDEwIl0sIm9wYWNpdHkiOjEsInZpc2liaWxpdHkiOnRydWV9XX0%3D"></iframe>







DIST-ALERT on GFW also provides information about the level of confidence for alerts. The system determines confidence level by the number of anomalous observations, with more observations meaning a higher confidence level. That is, two to three anomalies detected result in a low confidence alert, whereas four or more mean a high confidence alert. Since the system continues to detect anomalies in a pixel over time and the underlying algorithm is updated every 2-4 days (in cloud free conditions), this means that an alert can quickly move from lower to higher confidence, providing users with more timely and more confident alerting than ever before.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="155" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/confidence-levels-DIST-ALERT-GFW.png" alt="" class="wp-image-18301" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/confidence-levels-DIST-ALERT-GFW.png 800w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/confidence-levels-DIST-ALERT-GFW-768x149.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



Like other alerts on GFW, users can also explore DIST-ALERT locations with the <a href="https://forestwatcher.globalforestwatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Watcher mobile app</a>, which allows users to investigate potential deforestation events and other disturbances in the field and offline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How does DIST-ALERT differ from existing alerts on GFW?</h2>



GFW’s other alert products are only available for forests. Now, DIST-ALERT makes it possible to view alerts for all types of tree and vegetation cover, including grassland, shrubland, agricultural land and savanna. We have <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/integrated-deforestation-alerts/">combined DIST-ALERT with other GFW alert products</a> to form <a href="https://gfw.global/3CrDkAs">integrated disturbance alerts</a>, which expands alert coverage to all vegetation both inside and outside of forests globally and detects repeated disturbances.



Users can also choose to only view alerts within areas of tree cover with at least 30% canopy density across the globe. Disturbances in forests with 10-30% canopy cover are difficult to identify with this product because anomalies can be driven by disturbances of any vegetation in the pixel — for example, disturbances of undergrowth where trees remain intact. For this reason, we provide the option to view alerts where tree cover disturbances are more likely to be driving the anomalies: within areas of 30% tree canopy density or above.



In contrast to many other alert systems available on GFW, DIST-ALERT continues to monitor pixels where it has identified an alert in the past. The layer on GFW shows the date of the most recent alert, keeping users informed of the most up-to-date changes to forest and vegetation cover.



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/26576189?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img decoding="async" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/26576189/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="visualization" /></noscript></div>







GFW also hosts the <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/?mapMenu=eyJtZW51U2VjdGlvbiI6ImRhdGFzZXRzIiwiZGF0YXNldENhdGVnb3J5IjoiZm9yZXN0Q2hhbmdlIn0%3D&modalMeta=viirs_fires">VIIRS fire alerts</a>. Like DIST-ALERT, these monitor all land, but they differ from DIST-ALERT because they only monitor fire activity, have more frequent temporal resolution (2 times daily) and a coarser spatial resolution (375 meter).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What can the new alerts tell us?</h2>



The DIST-ALERT data shows changes within both natural and human-managed vegetation cover. These changes may be driven by human activities like agricultural conversion, or natural causes like drought damage in crops, and may be temporary or permanent. Therefore, an alert in tree cover area is not necessarily deforestation, and one in grasslands or savannas is not necessarily conversion to another land use such as agriculture.



In addition, because the alerts are available in near-real-time, they are often available before any change in land use, like conversion to agriculture, has occurred, and before replanting might have happened in areas where forestry activities are taking place, meaning further investigation may be needed to understand the context of the alert.



While this new system is incredibly powerful, detecting any loss of vegetative cover anywhere on earth continuously, not all changes are equally interesting and useful to track. Additional information such as whether the alert is in a natural or non-natural ecosystem can be used to identify alerts that warrant further action. Here are two examples of how the data may be useful:



1. Supply chain actors can monitor for no-conversion voluntary commitments and regulatory requirements: Suppliers looking to ensure and demonstrate sustainability in their supply chains and that have made no-conversion commitments for natural lands (e.g. the <a href="https://accountability-framework.org/news-events/news/the-afi-recommends-a-target-date-no-later-than-2025-to-eliminate-deforestation-and-conversion-in-supply-chains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Accountability Framework Initiative goal</a>) can use DIST-ALERT to monitor areas outside of forests. The data is also relevant to the European Union’s deforestation regulation (EUDR), providing information on potential deforestation or degradation. In addition, while the EUDR’s scope is currently limited to conversions in forests, it could potentially expand to “Other Wooded Land” (non-agricultural land with few trees that can include shrubs and bushes). This expansion would require identifying conversion of this land cover to cropland, which DIST-ALERT could support.



2. Land managers can identify threats to natural ecosystems: DIST-ALERT can provide early information about other worrying trends in the world’s natural ecosystems, such as the impacts of droughts and climate change. By tracking alerts within valuable lands such as protected areas, biodiversity hotspots and Indigenous lands, and crosschecking with other information such as weather anomalies or fires, land managers could better tell what’s going on in these areas to identify threats and support their decision making. The global biodiversity framework includes the ambitious “30×30 initiative,” which aims to protect 30% of the planet’s land and water by 2030. Alerts within these protected areas could indicate threats to their long-term conservation and provide an early warning that swift action should be taken to reverse this trend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What’s next for DIST-ALERT on GFW?</h2>



The new DIST-ALERT layer provides more near-real-time information about disturbances in the world’s vegetation than ever before, but there is still more to come.



In the future, GFW will have additional features to support DIST-ALERT such as on-the-fly analysis (e.g. number of alerts) in an uploaded or drawn area, the ability to subscribe to email alerts, and the ability to download alert coordinates. We will introduce these items in the coming months, but in the meantime, users can overlay layers available on GFW such as primary forests and protected areas and view together with DIST-ALERT to provide context and support decision making.



We also plan to add more information about what is causing alerts. This information helps users understand if the alerts are caused by natural disturbances or human activity and inform decisions about what kind of action might be required. Land & Carbon Lab has developed an <a href="https://landcarbonlab.org/data/land-disturbance-alert-classification-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alert classification system</a> to create targeted alert products that can be used to distinguish between human-caused conversion of natural lands to other land uses like agriculture, mining or urban development, as well as natural disturbances like drought and wildfire. At the same time, GFW now shows the <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/drivers-deforestation-alerts/">drivers of historical alerts in three tropical forest basins</a>. Efforts to provide regular updates of these alert driver products are underway.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



This piece was originally published December 17, 2024. It was updated in March 2026 to reflect the latest updates related to DIST-ALERT.



<style type="text/css"></style>

Near-Real-Time Disturbance Alerts for All Vegetation Globally are Now Available on GFW

Global Forest Watch’s (GFW) deforestation alerts provide information about loss of trees in near-real-time, making them a critical tool for those working to combat deforestation. Existing alerts on GFW have been used to <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/users-in-action/indigenous-forest-monitors-reduce-deforestation/">help Indigenous and local communities</a> protect their forests, <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/indigenous-peoples-local-communities-use-satellite-data-deforestation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">halt and prosecute</a> environmental crimes and <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/users-in-action/data-protect-cameroon-mengame-gorilla-sanctuary/">protect</a> threatened <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/users-in-action/protecting-forest-habitats-mara-elephant-project/">wildlife</a>.



But previously, alerts were only available for tropical forests. Now, a <a href="https://gfw.global/401umrm">new alert system available on GFW called DIST-ALERT</a> provides alerts within forests globally as well as alerts where other ecosystems are disturbed — such as grasslands, savannas, shrublands, wetlands and crops. This new global data set makes it possible to monitor deforestation and other vegetation disturbance events as they happen around the world for the first time.



Read on to learn more about the new DIST-ALERT, how it’s different from other alerts and what’s next for alerts on GFW.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What are the new disturbance alerts?</h2>



In 2024, a groundbreaking new land surface disturbance monitoring system known as&nbsp;<a href="https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/products/opera_l3_dist-alert-hls_v1v001/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OPERA Land Surface Disturbance Alert</a>, or DIST-ALERT, was developed by the University of Maryland (UMD) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/go/opera" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA’s OPERA project</a> and funded by NASA Satellite Needs Working Group to map per pixel vegetation cover loss globally at a 30x30-meter resolution. The DIST-ALERT algorithm uses Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) satellite data that is updated every 2-4 days for each pixel on the earth, and thus the system is updated every time the satellite data is acquired and the ground is not covered by clouds or snow (<a href="https://landcarbonlab.org/insights/new-monitoring-system-land-ecosystem-disturbances/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">read more here</a> about how DIST-ALERT was developed and the methodology behind it).



DIST-ALERT shows an alert when there is an anomaly or notable reduction in vegetation cover, measured as “vegetation fraction” or percent of the ground covered by vegetation. It identifies this by comparing the new vegetation fraction estimate to the minimum fraction for the same time period over the last three years. This means that the algorithm can accommodate changes to seasonal vegetation without triggering an alert.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What new alert data is available on GFW?</h2>



The new DIST-ALERT system on GFW updates weekly and tailors the vegetation fraction level to only display alerts in areas that experience at least 30% vegetation cover loss compared to the same period over the last three years. &nbsp;



<iframe width="670" height="490" frameborder="0" src="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/embed/map/?map=eyJkYXRhc2V0cyI6W3siZGF0YXNldCI6IkRJU1RfYWxlcnRzIiwib3BhY2l0eSI6MSwidmlzaWJpbGl0eSI6dHJ1ZSwibGF5ZXJzIjpbIkRJU1RfYWxlcnRzX2FsbCJdfSx7ImRhdGFzZXQiOiJwb2xpdGljYWwtYm91bmRhcmllcyIsImxheWVycyI6WyJkaXNwdXRlZC1wb2xpdGljYWwtYm91bmRhcmllcyIsInBvbGl0aWNhbC1ib3VuZGFyaWVzIl0sIm9wYWNpdHkiOjEsInZpc2liaWxpdHkiOnRydWV9LHsiZGF0YXNldCI6InRyZWUtY292ZXIiLCJsYXllcnMiOlsidHJlZS1jb3Zlci0yMDEwIl0sIm9wYWNpdHkiOjEsInZpc2liaWxpdHkiOnRydWV9XX0%3D"></iframe>







DIST-ALERT on GFW also provides information about the level of confidence for alerts. The system determines confidence level by the number of anomalous observations, with more observations meaning a higher confidence level. That is, two to three anomalies detected result in a low confidence alert, whereas four or more mean a high confidence alert. Since the system continues to detect anomalies in a pixel over time and the underlying algorithm is updated every 2-4 days (in cloud free conditions), this means that an alert can quickly move from lower to higher confidence, providing users with more timely and more confident alerting than ever before.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/confidence-levels-DIST-ALERT-GFW.png" alt="" class="wp-image-18301"/></figure>



Like other alerts on GFW, users can also explore DIST-ALERT locations with the <a href="https://forestwatcher.globalforestwatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Watcher mobile app</a>, which allows users to investigate potential deforestation events and other disturbances in the field and offline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How does DIST-ALERT differ from existing alerts on GFW?</h2>



GFW’s other alert products are only available for forests. Now, DIST-ALERT makes it possible to view alerts for all types of tree and vegetation cover, including grassland, shrubland, agricultural land and savanna. We have <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/integrated-deforestation-alerts/">combined DIST-ALERT with other GFW alert products</a> to form <a href="https://gfw.global/3CrDkAs">integrated disturbance alerts</a>, which expands alert coverage to all vegetation both inside and outside of forests globally and detects repeated disturbances.



Users can also choose to only view alerts within areas of tree cover with at least 30% canopy density across the globe. Disturbances in forests with 10-30% canopy cover are difficult to identify with this product because anomalies can be driven by disturbances of any vegetation in the pixel — for example, disturbances of undergrowth where trees remain intact. For this reason, we provide the option to view alerts where tree cover disturbances are more likely to be driving the anomalies: within areas of 30% tree canopy density or above.



In contrast to many other alert systems available on GFW, DIST-ALERT continues to monitor pixels where it has identified an alert in the past. The layer on GFW shows the date of the most recent alert, keeping users informed of the most up-to-date changes to forest and vegetation cover.



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/26576189?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/26576189/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="visualization" /></noscript></div>







GFW also hosts the <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/?mapMenu=eyJtZW51U2VjdGlvbiI6ImRhdGFzZXRzIiwiZGF0YXNldENhdGVnb3J5IjoiZm9yZXN0Q2hhbmdlIn0%3D&amp;modalMeta=viirs_fires">VIIRS fire alerts</a>. Like DIST-ALERT, these monitor all land, but they differ from DIST-ALERT because they only monitor fire activity, have more frequent temporal resolution (2 times daily) and a coarser spatial resolution (375 meter).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What can the new alerts tell us?</h2>



The DIST-ALERT data shows changes within both natural and human-managed vegetation cover. These changes may be driven by human activities like agricultural conversion, or natural causes like drought damage in crops, and may be temporary or permanent. Therefore, an alert in tree cover area is not necessarily deforestation, and one in grasslands or savannas is not necessarily conversion to another land use such as agriculture.



In addition, because the alerts are available in near-real-time, they are often available before any change in land use, like conversion to agriculture, has occurred, and before replanting might have happened in areas where forestry activities are taking place, meaning further investigation may be needed to understand the context of the alert.



While this new system is incredibly powerful, detecting any loss of vegetative cover anywhere on earth continuously, not all changes are equally interesting and useful to track. Additional information such as whether the alert is in a natural or non-natural ecosystem can be used to identify alerts that warrant further action. Here are two examples of how the data may be useful:



1. Supply chain actors can monitor for no-conversion voluntary commitments and regulatory requirements: Suppliers looking to ensure and demonstrate sustainability in their supply chains and that have made no-conversion commitments for natural lands (e.g. the <a href="https://accountability-framework.org/news-events/news/the-afi-recommends-a-target-date-no-later-than-2025-to-eliminate-deforestation-and-conversion-in-supply-chains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Accountability Framework Initiative goal</a>) can use DIST-ALERT to monitor areas outside of forests. The data is also relevant to the European Union’s deforestation regulation (EUDR), providing information on potential deforestation or degradation. In addition, while the EUDR’s scope is currently limited to conversions in forests, it could potentially expand to “Other Wooded Land” (non-agricultural land with few trees that can include shrubs and bushes). This expansion would require identifying conversion of this land cover to cropland, which DIST-ALERT could support.



2. Land managers can identify threats to natural ecosystems: DIST-ALERT can provide early information about other worrying trends in the world’s natural ecosystems, such as the impacts of droughts and climate change. By tracking alerts within valuable lands such as protected areas, biodiversity hotspots and Indigenous lands, and crosschecking with other information such as weather anomalies or fires, land managers could better tell what’s going on in these areas to identify threats and support their decision making. The global biodiversity framework includes the ambitious “30x30 initiative,” which aims to protect 30% of the planet's land and water by 2030. Alerts within these protected areas could indicate threats to their long-term conservation and provide an early warning that swift action should be taken to reverse this trend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What’s next for DIST-ALERT on GFW?</h2>



The new DIST-ALERT layer provides more near-real-time information about disturbances in the world’s vegetation than ever before, but there is still more to come.



In the future, GFW will have additional features to support DIST-ALERT such as on-the-fly analysis (e.g. number of alerts) in an uploaded or drawn area, the ability to subscribe to email alerts, and the ability to download alert coordinates. We will introduce these items in the coming months, but in the meantime, users can overlay layers available on GFW such as primary forests and protected areas and view together with DIST-ALERT to provide context and support decision making.



We also plan to add more information about what is causing alerts. This information helps users understand if the alerts are caused by natural disturbances or human activity and inform decisions about what kind of action might be required. Land &amp; Carbon Lab has developed an <a href="https://landcarbonlab.org/data/land-disturbance-alert-classification-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alert classification system</a> to create targeted alert products that can be used to distinguish between human-caused conversion of natural lands to other land uses like agriculture, mining or urban development, as well as natural disturbances like drought and wildfire. At the same time, GFW now shows the <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/drivers-deforestation-alerts/">drivers of historical alerts in three tropical forest basins</a>. Efforts to provide regular updates of these alert driver products are underway.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



This piece was originally published December 17, 2024. It was updated in March 2026 to reflect the latest updates related to DIST-ALERT.



<style type="text/css"></style>

A new global alert system on GFW, DIST-ALERT, provides alerts within forests globally as well where other ecosystems are disturbed.

Disturbance Alerts for All Vegetation Globally Now on GFW

Congo Basin

Congo Basin | Global Forest Watch Blog

logging

logging | Global Forest Watch Blog

mapping

mapping | Global Forest Watch Blog

Bart Slagter

In Congo Basin forests, a new road can cause big changes. What may start as a single narrow path can start a cascade of disturbances by opening up access to intact forest, making it vulnerable to agricultural expansion, mining, logging, poaching and other threats. Tracking these roads is an important step in reducing their impact on forests, yet these roads — often unpaved, temporary and quickly overgrown — can be difficult to detect.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1363" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CIFOR-ICRAF-Wood-truck-Cameroon_Ollivier-Girard.jpg" alt="Wood truck near the village of Ngon. District of Ebolowa, Cameroon. Photo credit: Ollivier Girard/CIFOR." class="wp-image-20073" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CIFOR-ICRAF-Wood-truck-Cameroon_Ollivier-Girard.jpg 2048w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CIFOR-ICRAF-Wood-truck-Cameroon_Ollivier-Girard-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CIFOR-ICRAF-Wood-truck-Cameroon_Ollivier-Girard-768x511.jpg 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CIFOR-ICRAF-Wood-truck-Cameroon_Ollivier-Girard-1536x1022.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wood truck near the village of Ngon. District of Ebolowa, Cameroon. Photo credit: Ollivier Girard/CIFOR.</figcaption></figure>



A <a href="https://gfw.global/kkkquy">new, high-resolution data set</a> on Global Forest Watch (GFW) helps to close this gap by providing the most comprehensive view to date of forest road development in the Congo Basin. This updated data set builds on recent research that uses <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425724004061#bb0225" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellite imagery and AI to map forest roads</a> in unprecedented detail, identifying roads first detected from 2019 onward and integrating them with a historical archive of road data extending from 2018 back to 1976. Together, this offers decades of insight into how roads have expanded across one of the world’s most vital tropical forest regions.



This release comes at a critical moment. Road expansion, particularly associated with selective logging, can lead to serious <a href="https://gfr.wri.org/forest-condition-indicators/forest-degradation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest degradation</a> by fragmenting habitats, increasing carbon emissions and opening previously intact areas to further clearing. Data tracking road development can support verification of logging legality, as well as monitor mining encroachment and agricultural expansion.



In the Congo Basin, there is strong and growing demand for this type of data from government ministries, civil society organizations and forest monitoring initiatives. With technological developments such as this AI-powered approach, we are able to automatically track in high detail where and when road networks expand, meeting demands for valuable information needed by those who monitor forest change in near-real-time.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads_fast.gif" alt="Congo Basin forest roads data set overlaid on satellite imagery in Republic of the Congo" class="wp-image-20078"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Forest roads visible in Sentinel-2 satellite imagery can later disappear as vegetation regrows, but the Congo Basin forest roads data set&nbsp;retains&nbsp;a record of these roads even after they are no longer visible in imagery.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why do forest roads matter?</h2>



Forest roads are often the first physical footprint of industrial activity in tropical forests. Most of the roads in the Congo Basin are unpaved, and only temporarily used for selective logging, which entails harvesting valuable and mature trees while leaving the majority of the forest intact. While forest products benefit regional economies, some extractive practices are more detrimental than others. In tropical forests, selective logging can be part of a sustainable management regime if done with care, compared to clear cutting and establishing timber plantations.



However, the impact of logging roads<a href="https://ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/special-interest/usys/ites/ecosystem-management-dam/documents/EducationDOC/TRF_DOC/Reading/Laurance_2009.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> can be long-lasting</a>. Clearing forest corridors for road construction is the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331479711_Reduced-impact_logging_for_climate_change_mitigation_RIL-C_can_halve_selective_logging_emissions_from_tropical_forests" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">largest source of carbon emissions</a> associated with selective logging in Congo Basin countries, and also contributes to habitat fragmentation, soil disturbance, edge effects and increased fire risk.



The impacts of logging roads often extend well beyond the initial harvest. When roads remain accessible after logging, they can leave remote forests vulnerable to <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317802710_Impacts_of_logging_roads_on_tropical_forests" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unauthorized activities</a> such as agricultural expansion, mining, hunting and unregulated logging. In recent decades, road networks have increasingly expanded into <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/worlds-last-intact-forests-increasingly-fragmented" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intact forest landscapes</a>, which are identified as having little or no prior human influence. The <a href="https://www.wur.nl/en/news/road-networks-stretch-congo-basin-forests-satellites-and-ai-help-monitor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">latest data indicates</a> that almost a quarter of Congo Basin forest roads are located in forests that were mapped as intact as of 2016.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What does the new Congo Basin forest roads data show?</h2>



Monitoring forest roads is important but challenging. Without knowing where these roads are and how they’re changing over time, it’s impossible to assess their impacts or know what actions need to be taken. Many logging roads are narrow and vegetation grows back quickly after harvest, making them difficult or impossible to detect without the use of radar and optical satellite imagery. Especially in the densely cloud-covered Congo Basin, transient roads going unnoticed pose a major risk.



The new forest roads data set provides highly detailed mapping of road development in tropical rainforests across six Congo Basin countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo.



Key features include:



<ul>
<li>Updated road detection from 2019 onward, using AI and both optical and radar-based satellite imagery to map transient forest roads that often go undetected in conventional road data sets, with roads attributed by detection year and viewable by time range on GFW.</li>



<li>A long-term historical archive, combining the new data with earlier road maps created from satellite imagery going from 2018 back to 1976.</li>



<li>Improved coverage and consistency, offering users a single, integrated data set rather than multiple sources.</li>
</ul>



Prior to this change, GFW hosted a Congo Basin logging roads data set that was last updated in 2014. That data set was produced through a crowdsourcing effort from the Logging Roads initiative led by Moabi, GFW and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. Volunteers used satellite imagery and OpenStreetMap-based tools to manually trace roads and estimate when they appeared. While groundbreaking at the time, the data set covered a limited time period and was difficult to update.



In subsequent years, researchers <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-019-0310-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">manually updated</a> the data set through 2018 and integrated it with an earlier road inventory that had <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1141057" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digitized roads</a> from more than 300 Landsat images collected between 1976 and 2003, creating a comprehensive archive of roads data.



The new data combines the hand-digitized data with a new AI-based approach to offer a more complete and current picture of forest road expansion across the region.



Users can view the Congo Basin forest roads data on the GFW map by selecting the <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/?map=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%3D&mapMenu=eyJtZW51U2VjdGlvbiI6ImRhdGFzZXRzIiwiZGF0YXNldENhdGVnb3J5IjoibGFuZFVzZSJ9">Congo Basin forest roads layer</a> in the Land Use data sets section under Infrastructure.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1310" height="788" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads.png" alt="Screenshot of Forest roads in the Congo Basin (1976 to 2024)" class="wp-image-20079" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads.png 1310w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads-1024x616.png 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads-768x462.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1310px) 100vw, 1310px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Forest roads in the Congo Basin (1976 to 2024), with older data shown in darker brown and newly detected roads highlighted in bright gold.</figcaption></figure>



Additionally, the data will be integrated into national <a href="https://www.wri.org/initiatives/forest-atlases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Atlases</a>, which combine government information with independent monitoring tools to support transparent forest management.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How was the data created?</h2>



We mapped roads from 2019 onward using an advanced deep learning model <a href="https://www.wur.nl/en/news/road-networks-stretch-congo-basin-forests-satellites-and-ai-help-monitor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">developed by Wageningen University & Research and The Nature Conservancy</a>, based on both Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. The imagery uses radar sensors that can “see through” clouds, which allows for road detections even during the Congo Basin’s frequent rainy seasons. The automated algorithm processed thousands of satellite images and was designed to be continuously updated.



To extend the data set further back in time, the new road data was merged with <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-019-0310-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">historical maps</a> that include the <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1141057" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">manually digitized roads</a> from Landsat imagery covering 1976–2003 and crowdsourced mapping efforts. While detection methods differ, together they provide a valuable long-term archive of forest access and fragmentation.



As with most large-scale data sets, there are important caveats that users should be aware of:



<ul>
<li>Not all forest roads are associated with selective logging, although many mapped roads are linked to logging activities. The <a href="https://gfw.global/OQbmTK">logging concessions layer</a> on the GFW map can provide further context.</li>



<li>The data set does not indicate the legality of roads or associated activities.</li>



<li>Road widths are not shown to scale, and the data does not show whether a road is still in use (for example, some roads may have overgrown since they were detected).</li>



<li>Additionally, overlap between older and newer roads may indicate the reopening of older roads. This may be of interest to users investigating selective logging activities because a road reopening can indicate that a new harvest cycle has started at a location where old, overgrown logging roads are being reopened and reused (which generally has <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1365-2664.12661" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">less environmental impact</a> than constructing entirely new ones). However, note that reopened roads may not perfectly align with new roads on the map, since new roads (2019 onward) were mapped with more spatial precision than old roads.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How can the data be used?</h2>



The updated forest roads data set supports a wide range of applications:



<ul>
<li>Forest monitoring and law enforcement: Users can track where new roads appear inside or outside <a href="https://gfw.global/OQbmTK">logging concessions</a>, helping to flag potential illegal activity and support patrol planning.</li>



<li>Concession oversight: Governments and civil society organizations can assess whether road development aligns with approved logging plans and schedules. Detailed logging road maps can also be used to evaluate and potentially reduce the impact of selective logging activities.</li>



<li>Research and analysis: Researchers can use the long-term archive to study logging trends, infrastructure persistence and the carbon implications of new versus reopened roads, as well as the relationship between roads, degradation and deforestation.</li>



<li>Conservation and land-use planning: By revealing patterns of access and fragmentation, the data set can inform broader efforts to protect intact forest landscapes and protected areas.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1310" height="788" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads_v2.png" alt="Screenshot of Forest roads in the Congo Basin in Republic of Congo" class="wp-image-20080" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads_v2.png 1310w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads_v2-1024x616.png 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads_v2-768x462.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1310px) 100vw, 1310px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The forest roads data set provides context to forest change data such as near-real-time disturbance alerts, informing users what may be driving forest change. For example, recent disturbance alerts occurring near forest roads in intact forest landscapes highlight areas where access infrastructure and potential logging operations may be contributing to the reduction of previously intact forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What’s next for forest road monitoring data?</h2>



By combining cutting-edge AI with decades of historical mapping, this new forest roads data set offers an unprecedented view of how access has shaped the Congo Basin’s forests over time. As road expansion continues to impact forests, having timely, transparent and accessible data is essential for effective monitoring and action.



Moving forward, we plan to update the data set annually to support continued monitoring of road expansion across the region. In the future, we may apply these methods to map roads in other regions such as the Amazon and Southeast Asian rainforests.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Access the data: The data set is <a href="https://gfw.global/kkkquy">now available on GFW</a> as well as the <a href="https://www.wri.org/initiatives/forest-atlases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Atlases</a> where it complements existing forest disturbance data, such as <a href="https://gfw.global/qfkEaG">drivers of disturbance alerts</a> and <a href="https://gfw.global/RIZqAn">tree cover loss by dominant driver</a>, by adding spatial detail on logging-related access and infrastructure, helping users better understand forest change in the Congo Basin.



<style type="text/css"></style>

Mapping Forest Roads in the Congo Basin in Unprecedented Detail with AI

In Congo Basin forests, a new road can cause big changes. What may start as a single narrow path can start a cascade of disturbances by opening up access to intact forest, making it vulnerable to agricultural expansion, mining, logging, poaching and other threats. Tracking these roads is an important step in reducing their impact on forests, yet these roads — often unpaved, temporary and quickly overgrown — can be difficult to detect.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CIFOR-ICRAF-Wood-truck-Cameroon_Ollivier-Girard.jpg" alt="Wood truck near the village of Ngon. District of Ebolowa, Cameroon. Photo credit: Ollivier Girard/CIFOR." class="wp-image-20073"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wood truck near the village of Ngon. District of Ebolowa, Cameroon. Photo credit: Ollivier Girard/CIFOR.</figcaption></figure>



A <a href="https://gfw.global/kkkquy">new, high-resolution data set</a> on Global Forest Watch (GFW) helps to close this gap by providing the most comprehensive view to date of forest road development in the Congo Basin. This updated data set builds on recent research that uses <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425724004061#bb0225" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellite imagery and AI to map forest roads</a> in unprecedented detail, identifying roads first detected from 2019 onward and integrating them with a historical archive of road data extending from 2018 back to 1976. Together, this offers decades of insight into how roads have expanded across one of the world’s most vital tropical forest regions.



This release comes at a critical moment. Road expansion, particularly associated with selective logging, can lead to serious <a href="https://gfr.wri.org/forest-condition-indicators/forest-degradation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest degradation</a> by fragmenting habitats, increasing carbon emissions and opening previously intact areas to further clearing. Data tracking road development can support verification of logging legality, as well as monitor mining encroachment and agricultural expansion.



In the Congo Basin, there is strong and growing demand for this type of data from government ministries, civil society organizations and forest monitoring initiatives. With technological developments such as this AI-powered approach, we are able to automatically track in high detail where and when road networks expand, meeting demands for valuable information needed by those who monitor forest change in near-real-time.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads_fast.gif" alt="Congo Basin forest roads data set overlaid on satellite imagery in Republic of the Congo" class="wp-image-20078"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Forest roads visible in Sentinel-2 satellite imagery can later disappear as vegetation regrows, but the Congo Basin forest roads data set&nbsp;retains&nbsp;a record of these roads even after they are no longer visible in imagery.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why do forest roads matter?</h2>



Forest roads are often the first physical footprint of industrial activity in tropical forests. Most of the roads in the Congo Basin are unpaved, and only temporarily used for selective logging, which entails harvesting valuable and mature trees while leaving the majority of the forest intact. While forest products benefit regional economies, some extractive practices are more detrimental than others. In tropical forests, selective logging can be part of a sustainable management regime if done with care, compared to clear cutting and establishing timber plantations.



However, the impact of logging roads<a href="https://ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/special-interest/usys/ites/ecosystem-management-dam/documents/EducationDOC/TRF_DOC/Reading/Laurance_2009.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> can be long-lasting</a>. Clearing forest corridors for road construction is the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331479711_Reduced-impact_logging_for_climate_change_mitigation_RIL-C_can_halve_selective_logging_emissions_from_tropical_forests" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">largest source of carbon emissions</a> associated with selective logging in Congo Basin countries, and also contributes to habitat fragmentation, soil disturbance, edge effects and increased fire risk.



The impacts of logging roads often extend well beyond the initial harvest. When roads remain accessible after logging, they can leave remote forests vulnerable to <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317802710_Impacts_of_logging_roads_on_tropical_forests" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unauthorized activities</a> such as agricultural expansion, mining, hunting and unregulated logging. In recent decades, road networks have increasingly expanded into <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/worlds-last-intact-forests-increasingly-fragmented" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intact forest landscapes</a>, which are identified as having little or no prior human influence. The <a href="https://www.wur.nl/en/news/road-networks-stretch-congo-basin-forests-satellites-and-ai-help-monitor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">latest data indicates</a> that almost a quarter of Congo Basin forest roads are located in forests that were mapped as intact as of 2016.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What does the new Congo Basin forest roads data show?</h2>



Monitoring forest roads is important but challenging. Without knowing where these roads are and how they’re changing over time, it’s impossible to assess their impacts or know what actions need to be taken. Many logging roads are narrow and vegetation grows back quickly after harvest, making them difficult or impossible to detect without the use of radar and optical satellite imagery. Especially in the densely cloud-covered Congo Basin, transient roads going unnoticed pose a major risk.



The new forest roads data set provides highly detailed mapping of road development in tropical rainforests across six Congo Basin countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo.



Key features include:



<ul>
<li>Updated road detection from 2019 onward, using AI and both optical and radar-based satellite imagery to map transient forest roads that often go undetected in conventional road data sets, with roads attributed by detection year and viewable by time range on GFW.</li>



<li>A long-term historical archive, combining the new data with earlier road maps created from satellite imagery going from 2018 back to 1976.</li>



<li>Improved coverage and consistency, offering users a single, integrated data set rather than multiple sources.</li>
</ul>



Prior to this change, GFW hosted a Congo Basin logging roads data set that was last updated in 2014. That data set was produced through a crowdsourcing effort from the Logging Roads initiative led by Moabi, GFW and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. Volunteers used satellite imagery and OpenStreetMap-based tools to manually trace roads and estimate when they appeared. While groundbreaking at the time, the data set covered a limited time period and was difficult to update.



In subsequent years, researchers <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-019-0310-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">manually updated</a> the data set through 2018 and integrated it with an earlier road inventory that had <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1141057" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digitized roads</a> from more than 300 Landsat images collected between 1976 and 2003, creating a comprehensive archive of roads data.



The new data combines the hand-digitized data with a new AI-based approach to offer a more complete and current picture of forest road expansion across the region.



Users can view the Congo Basin forest roads data on the GFW map by selecting the <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/?map=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%3D&amp;mapMenu=eyJtZW51U2VjdGlvbiI6ImRhdGFzZXRzIiwiZGF0YXNldENhdGVnb3J5IjoibGFuZFVzZSJ9">Congo Basin forest roads layer</a> in the Land Use data sets section under Infrastructure.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads.png" alt="Screenshot of Forest roads in the Congo Basin (1976 to 2024)" class="wp-image-20079"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Forest roads in the Congo Basin (1976 to 2024), with older data shown in darker brown and newly detected roads highlighted in bright gold.</figcaption></figure>



Additionally, the data will be integrated into national <a href="https://www.wri.org/initiatives/forest-atlases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Atlases</a>, which combine government information with independent monitoring tools to support transparent forest management.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How was the data created?</h2>



We mapped roads from 2019 onward using an advanced deep learning model <a href="https://www.wur.nl/en/news/road-networks-stretch-congo-basin-forests-satellites-and-ai-help-monitor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">developed by Wageningen University &amp; Research and The Nature Conservancy</a>, based on both Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. The imagery uses radar sensors that can “see through” clouds, which allows for road detections even during the Congo Basin’s frequent rainy seasons. The automated algorithm processed thousands of satellite images and was designed to be continuously updated.



To extend the data set further back in time, the new road data was merged with <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-019-0310-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">historical maps</a> that include the <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1141057" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">manually digitized roads</a> from Landsat imagery covering 1976–2003 and crowdsourced mapping efforts. While detection methods differ, together they provide a valuable long-term archive of forest access and fragmentation.



As with most large-scale data sets, there are important caveats that users should be aware of:



<ul>
<li>Not all forest roads are associated with selective logging, although many mapped roads are linked to logging activities. The <a href="https://gfw.global/OQbmTK">logging concessions layer</a> on the GFW map can provide further context.</li>



<li>The data set does not indicate the legality of roads or associated activities.</li>



<li>Road widths are not shown to scale, and the data does not show whether a road is still in use (for example, some roads may have overgrown since they were detected).</li>



<li>Additionally, overlap between older and newer roads may indicate the reopening of older roads. This may be of interest to users investigating selective logging activities because a road reopening can indicate that a new harvest cycle has started at a location where old, overgrown logging roads are being reopened and reused (which generally has <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1365-2664.12661" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">less environmental impact</a> than constructing entirely new ones). However, note that reopened roads may not perfectly align with new roads on the map, since new roads (2019 onward) were mapped with more spatial precision than old roads.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How can the data be used?</h2>



The updated forest roads data set supports a wide range of applications:



<ul>
<li>Forest monitoring and law enforcement: Users can track where new roads appear inside or outside <a href="https://gfw.global/OQbmTK">logging concessions</a>, helping to flag potential illegal activity and support patrol planning.</li>



<li>Concession oversight: Governments and civil society organizations can assess whether road development aligns with approved logging plans and schedules. Detailed logging road maps can also be used to evaluate and potentially reduce the impact of selective logging activities.</li>



<li>Research and analysis: Researchers can use the long-term archive to study logging trends, infrastructure persistence and the carbon implications of new versus reopened roads, as well as the relationship between roads, degradation and deforestation.</li>



<li>Conservation and land-use planning: By revealing patterns of access and fragmentation, the data set can inform broader efforts to protect intact forest landscapes and protected areas.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/congobasinroads_v2.png" alt="Screenshot of Forest roads in the Congo Basin in Republic of Congo" class="wp-image-20080"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The forest roads data set provides context to forest change data such as near-real-time disturbance alerts, informing users what may be driving forest change. For example, recent disturbance alerts occurring near forest roads in intact forest landscapes highlight areas where access infrastructure and potential logging operations may be contributing to the reduction of previously intact forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What’s next for forest road monitoring data?</h2>



By combining cutting-edge AI with decades of historical mapping, this new forest roads data set offers an unprecedented view of how access has shaped the Congo Basin’s forests over time. As road expansion continues to impact forests, having timely, transparent and accessible data is essential for effective monitoring and action.



Moving forward, we plan to update the data set annually to support continued monitoring of road expansion across the region. In the future, we may apply these methods to map roads in other regions such as the Amazon and Southeast Asian rainforests.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Access the data: The data set is <a href="https://gfw.global/kkkquy">now available on GFW</a> as well as the <a href="https://www.wri.org/initiatives/forest-atlases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Atlases</a> where it complements existing forest disturbance data, such as <a href="https://gfw.global/qfkEaG">drivers of disturbance alerts</a> and <a href="https://gfw.global/RIZqAn">tree cover loss by dominant driver</a>, by adding spatial detail on logging-related access and infrastructure, helping users better understand forest change in the Congo Basin.



<style type="text/css"></style>

Cartographier les routes forestières du bassin du Congo avec un niveau de détail sans précédent grâce à l'IA  

In Congo Basin forests, roads can cause big changes. A new, high-res data set on GFW provides a detailed view of these forest roads.

Mapping Forest Roads in the Congo Basin Powered by AI

Teodyl Nkuintchua

Kendie Kenmoe

Roger Mambeta

Why Forest Loss in the Congo Basin Requires Immediate Action

Pourquoi la Perte de Forêts dans le Bassin du Congo Nécessite une Action Immédiate

Forest loss been persistent in the Congo Basin over the last decade. Action is needed now to protect the region's critical forests.

guest post

guest post | Global Forest Watch Blog

Kevin Woods and Nyein Chan, formerly Forest Trends

Behind the Pixels: Monitoring Deforestation in Post-Coup Myanmar

Forest Trends shares strategies and outcomes for monitoring forests in conflict zones - based on their work in post-coup Myanmar.

Monitoring Deforestation in Post-Coup Myanmar

forest quality

forest quality | Global Forest Watch Blog

Svetlana Turubanova

Fragmentation and Fires Are Threatening the World’s Last Intact Forests

<style type="text/css">&lt;!-- .attribute {font-size: 0.8em; font-style: italic;} .imageright { float: right; width: 48%; margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; font-size: 0.8em; font-style: italic;} .center { width: 100%; margin: 30px 0px 30px 0px; font-size: 0.8em; font-style: italic;} .imagecenter { width: 100%; font-size: 0.8em; font-style: itali</style>

Intact forest landscapes are some of the most important ecosystems in the world. But they decreased by 12% between 2000 and 2020.

The World’s Last Intact Forests Are Increasingly Fragmented | GFW

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24e4b4a3160f1ef325f06a7df2da246f?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Octavia Payne

We are excited to announce that Global Forest Watch is becoming Global Nature Watch.



This new name reflects the next evolution of our work: Advancing forest monitoring while expanding our data, tools and insights to a broader range of landscapes, including grasslands, agricultural lands, trees outside of forests and more. By building a greater understanding of these critical ecosystems, we aim to create a more complete picture of Earth’s changing landscapes.



Advances in AI, satellite science and geospatial technologies are also creating new opportunities to make environmental information more accessible and actionable for people working to protect, restore and sustainably manage land. Under Global Nature Watch, we will help bring these innovations together to drive the next generation of forest and nature monitoring — with much of this work already taking shape through <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, the new name for Global Nature Watch’s innovative AI-driven platform in preview.



Our vision is ambitious: To help anyone working to protect, restore or sustainably manage forests and other key landscapes make informed decisions based on the latest environmental intelligence, regardless of language or technical expertise.



Global Forest Watch is why we’re here today. Global Nature Watch is our path forward.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What does this mean for Global Forest Watch users?</h2>



Although the name is changing, our commitment remains the same: To provide open access to the best available data and tools to help people everywhere protect and restore nature, strengthen livelihoods and address climate change. Forests remain central to our mission and foundational to the future of Global Nature Watch.



As Global Nature Watch expands data and coverage beyond forests, users will be able to monitor interconnected landscapes, helping improve understanding of the drivers of forest change, identify emerging threats and make more informed management decisions. For those working in mixed landscapes, this broader perspective provides valuable context for understanding forest health and resilience.



Right now, nothing is changing for users except the name. Our users will continue to have access to the data, tools and workflows they currently rely on as Global Forest Watch becomes Global Nature Watch.



Specifically:  



<ul>
<li>Saved areas of interest in myGFW will remain available. </li>



<li>Subscriptions and alert notifications will continue uninterrupted. </li>



<li>Existing monitoring workflows, including syncing with Forest Watcher, will remain in place. </li>



<li>Saved links and bookmarks will still work.</li>
</ul>



Over time you will see a new look and improved user experience that reflects the continued evolution of our capabilities and coverage. You can explore what’s in development on <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, where your feedback is incredibly important.



We are grateful to our community who has helped shape this work over the past decade, and we look forward to building the future of Global Nature Watch together. Our user community will continue to play an important role as new capabilities and tools evolve. We look forward to sharing more about what’s next for Global Nature Watch.



Join our mailing list to receive regular updates throughout this journey. If you have any questions, please contact us at <a href="mailto:gfw@wri.org">gfw@wri.org</a>.



<style type="text/css"></style>

Global Forest Watch is Becoming Global Nature Watch

We are excited to announce that Global Forest Watch is becoming Global Nature Watch.



This new name reflects the next evolution of our work: Advancing forest monitoring while expanding our data, tools and insights to a broader range of landscapes, including grasslands, agricultural lands, trees outside of forests and more. By building a greater understanding of these critical ecosystems, we aim to create a more complete picture of Earth's changing landscapes.



Advances in AI, satellite science and geospatial technologies are also creating new opportunities to make environmental information more accessible and actionable for people working to protect, restore and sustainably manage land. Under Global Nature Watch, we will help bring these innovations together to drive the next generation of forest and nature monitoring — with much of this work already taking shape through <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, the new name for Global Nature Watch’s innovative AI-driven platform in preview.



Our vision is ambitious: To help anyone working to protect, restore or sustainably manage forests and other key landscapes make informed decisions based on the latest environmental intelligence, regardless of language or technical expertise.



Global Forest Watch is why we’re here today. Global Nature Watch is our path forward.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What does this mean for Global Forest Watch users?</h2>



Although the name is changing, our commitment remains the same: To provide open access to the best available data and tools to help people everywhere protect and restore nature, strengthen livelihoods and address climate change. Forests remain central to our mission and foundational to the future of Global Nature Watch.



As Global Nature Watch expands data and coverage beyond forests, users will be able to monitor interconnected landscapes, helping improve understanding of the drivers of forest change, identify emerging threats and make more informed management decisions. For those working in mixed landscapes, this broader perspective provides valuable context for understanding forest health and resilience.



Right now, nothing is changing for users except the name. Our users will continue to have access to the data, tools and workflows they currently rely on as Global Forest Watch becomes Global Nature Watch.



Specifically:  



<ul>
<li>Saved areas of interest in myGFW will remain available. </li>



<li>Subscriptions and alert notifications will continue uninterrupted. </li>



<li>Existing monitoring workflows, including syncing with Forest Watcher, will remain in place. </li>



<li>Saved links and bookmarks will still work.</li>
</ul>



Over time you will see a new look and improved user experience that reflects the continued evolution of our capabilities and coverage. You can explore what’s in development on <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, where your feedback is incredibly important.



We are grateful to our community who has helped shape this work over the past decade, and we look forward to building the future of Global Nature Watch together. Our user community will continue to play an important role as new capabilities and tools evolve. We look forward to sharing more about what's next for Global Nature Watch.



Join our mailing list to receive regular updates throughout this journey. If you have any questions, please contact us at <a href="mailto:gfw@wri.org">gfw@wri.org</a>.



<style type="text/css"></style>

É com entusiasmo que anunciamos que&nbsp;o Global Forest&nbsp;Watch&nbsp;passa a se chamar&nbsp;Global&nbsp;Nature&nbsp;Watch.&nbsp;



O novo nome reflete a evolução do nosso trabalho: continuamos avançando no monitoramento de florestas, ao mesmo tempo em que ampliamos nossos dados, ferramentas e análises para abranger uma diversidade maior de paisagens, como pastagens, áreas agrícolas, árvores fora de florestas e outros ecossistemas. Ao integrar essas diferentes informações, buscamos oferecer uma visão mais coompleta das transformações que ocorrem nas paisagens do planeta.



Os avanços em inteligência artificial, sensoriamento remoto e tecnologias geoespaciais também abrem novas possibilidades para tornar as informações ambientais mais acessíveis e úteis às pessoas que atuam na proteção, restauração e gestão sustentável da terra. No Global Nature Watch, reunimos essas inovações para impulsionar uma nova geração de ferramentas de monitoramento da natureza. Parte desse trabalho já está em desenvolvimento no <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, nossa nova plataforma, atualmente disponível em versão prévia, que incorpora recursos de inteligência artificial. 



Nossa visão é ambiciosa: permitir que qualquer pessoa envolvida na proteção, restauração ou gestão sustentável de florestas e outras paisagens estratégicas possa tomar decisões mais bem fundamentadas, com base nas informações ambientais mais atualizadas, independentemente do idioma ou do nível de conhecimento técnico.



Global Forest Watch nos trouxe até aqui. O Global Nature Watch representa o próximo passo dessa trajetória.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">O que&nbsp;muda para os usuários do Global Forest Watch?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



Embora o nome esteja mudando, nosso compromisso permanece o mesmo:&nbsp;oferecer acesso aberto aos melhores dados e ferramentas disponíveis para apoiar pessoas e organizações na proteção e restauração da natureza, no fortalecimento dos meios de vida e no enfrentamento das mudanças climáticas. As florestas continuam no centro da nossa missão e seguirão sendo parte fundamental do futuro do Global&nbsp;Nature&nbsp;Watch.&nbsp;



Ao ampliar a cobertura para além das florestas, o Global&nbsp;Nature&nbsp;Watch permitirá que os usuários monitorem paisagens interconectadas, compreendam melhor os fatores que influenciam as mudanças nas florestas, identifiquem ameaças emergentes e tomem decisões de gestão mais embasadas. Para quem atua em paisagens multifuncionais, essa visão integrada oferece um contexto mais amplo para avaliar a saúde e a resiliência dos ecossistemas florestais.&nbsp;



Neste momento, a única mudança é o nome. Os usuários continuarão tendo acesso aos dados, ferramentas e funcionalidades que já utilizam atualmente durante toda a transição para o Global Nature Watch.



Especificamente:  



<ul>
<li>As áreas de interesse salvas no myGFW continuarão disponíveis. </li>



<li>As assinaturas e notificações de alertas continuarão sem interrupção. </li>



<li>Os fluxos de trabalho de monitoramento existentes, incluindo a sincronização com o Forest Watcher, serão mantidos. </li>



<li>Os links e favoritos salvos continuarão funcionando.</li>
</ul>



Ao longo dos próximos meses, você começará a perceber uma nova identidade visual e melhorias na experiência de uso, refletindo a evolução contínua de nossas ferramentas e capacidades. Também convidamos você a conhecer o <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a> e compartilhar sua experiência. Seu feedback será essencial para orientar o desenvolvimento das próximas funcionalidades.   



Somos gratos à comunidade de usuários que ajudou a construir essa trajetória ao longo da última década. Continuaremos contando com essa colaboração para desenvolver novas ferramentas e capacidades, e esperamos compartilhar&nbsp;em breve as próximas novidades do Global&nbsp;Nature&nbsp;Watch.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Inscreva-se em nossa lista de e-mails para acompanhar as atualizações dessa nova etapa. Caso tenha dúvidas, entre em contato conosco pelo e-mail&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gfw@wri.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gfw@wri.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<style type="text/css"></style>

Global Forest Watch passa a se chamar Global Nature Watch

Nous&nbsp;avons le plaisir&nbsp;d’annoncer que&nbsp;Global Forest Watch devient Global Nature Watch.&nbsp;



Ce nouveau nom reflète la prochaine évolution de notre travail : faire progresser la surveillance des forêts tout en élargissant nos données, outils et analyses à un plus large éventail&nbsp;de milieux, tels que les terres herbeuses, les terres agricoles, les arbres hors des forêts, etc.&nbsp;En approfondissant notre compréhension de ces écosystèmes critiques, nous visons à créer une image plus complète&nbsp;des changements qui s'opèrent dans les&nbsp;mileux&nbsp;terrestres.&nbsp;



Les progrès réalisés dans les domaines de l’intelligence artificielle, de la science satellitaire et des technologies géospatiales créent également de nouvelles opportunités pour rendre les informations environnementales plus accessibles et plus exploitables les acteurs engagés dans la protection, la restauration et la gestion durable des terres. Dans le cadre de Global Nature Watch, nous contribuerons à rassembler ces innovations pour propulser la prochaine génération de surveillance des forêts et de la nature — une grande partie de ce travail prenant déjà forme à travers <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, le nouveau nom de la plateforme innovante de Global Nature Watch basée sur l’IA et actuellement en version préliminaire. 



Notre vision est ambitieuse : aider toute personne œuvrant à la protection, à la restauration ou à la gestion durable des forêts et d’autres&nbsp;milieux essentiels&nbsp;à prendre des décisions éclairées fondées sur les dernières informations environnementales, quelle que soit leur langue ou leur expertise technique.&nbsp;



Global Forest Watch est la raison&nbsp;pour laquelle nous sommes ici aujourd’hui. Global Nature Watch est notre voie&nbsp;pour progresser.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Qu’est-ce que cela signifie pour les utilisateurs de Global Forest Watch ?&nbsp;</h2>



Bien que le nom change, notre engagement reste le même : offrir un accès ouvert aux meilleures données et aux meilleurs outils disponibles pour aider les populations du monde entier à protéger et restaurer la nature, améliorer les moyens de subsistance et lutter contre le changement climatique. Les forêts restent au cœur de notre mission et sont fondamentales pour l’avenir de Global Nature Watch.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Au fur et à mesure que Global Nature Watch étend ses données et sa couverture au-delà des forêts, les utilisateurs pourront surveiller des milieux interconnectés, contribuant ainsi à une meilleure compréhension des facteurs de changement forestier, à l’identification des menaces émergentes et à des prises de décision de gestion plus éclairées. Pour ceux qui travaillent dans des milieux mixtes, cette perspective plus large fournit un contexte précieux pour comprendre la santé et la résilience des forêts.



Pour l’instant, rien ne change pour les utilisateurs,&nbsp;sauf&nbsp;le nom.&nbsp;Nos utilisateurs continueront d’avoir accès aux données, outils et flux de travail dont ils dépendent actuellement,&nbsp;alors&nbsp;que Global Forest Watch devient Global Nature Watch.&nbsp;



Plus précisément :  



<ul>
<li>Les zones d’intérêt enregistrées dans myGFW resteront disponibles. </li>



<li>Les abonnements et notifications d’alertes continueront sans interruption. </li>



<li>Les flux de travail de surveillance existants, y compris la synchronisation avec Forest Watcher, resteront en place. </li>



<li>Les liens et favoris enregistrés continueront de fonctionner.</li>
</ul>



Au fil du temps, vous découvrirez une nouvelle interface et une expérience utilisateur améliorée reflétant l’évolution continue de nos capacités et de notre couverture. Vous pouvez explorer ce qui est en cours de développement sur <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, où vos retours sont incroyablement précieux.  



Nous sommes reconnaissants envers&nbsp;notre communauté&nbsp;qui a contribué à façonner ce travail au cours de la dernière décennie, et nous nous réjouissons de construire ensemble l’avenir de Global Nature Watch. Notre communauté d’utilisateurs continuera à jouer un rôle important à mesure que de nouvelles capacités et de nouveaux outils évolueront. Nous avons hâte de partager plus d’informations sur&nbsp;la suite&nbsp;de Global Nature Watch.&nbsp;



Abonnez-vous à notre liste de diffusion pour recevoir des mises à jour régulières tout au long de ce parcours.&nbsp;Si vous avez des questions, veuillez nous contacter à&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gfw@wri.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gfw@wri.org</a>.



<style type="text/css"></style>

Global Forest Watch devient Global Nature Watch

Nos complace anunciar que Global Forest Watch se convierte en Global Nature Watch.



Este nuevo nombre refleja la próxima evolución de nuestro trabajo: avanzar en el monitoreo forestal mientras ampliamos nuestros datos, herramientas e información a una gama más amplia de paisajes, incluidas praderas, tierras agrícolas, árboles fuera de los bosques y más. Al desarrollar una mayor comprensión de estos ecosistemas críticos, buscamos crear una imagen más completa de los paisajes cambiantes de la Tierra.



Los avances en inteligencia artificial, ciencias satelitales y tecnologías geoespaciales también están creando nuevas oportunidades para hacer que la información ambiental sea más accesible y útil para las personas que trabajan en la protección, restauración y gestión sostenible de la tierra. Bajo el paraguas de Global Nature Watch, ayudaremos a reunir estas innovaciones para impulsar la próxima generación de monitoreo forestal y de la naturaleza; gran parte de este trabajo ya está tomando forma a través de <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, el nuevo nombre de la innovadora plataforma de Global Nature Watch impulsada por inteligiencia artificial, disponible en versión preliminar.



Nuestra visión es ambiciosa: ayudar a cualquier persona que trabaje para proteger, restaurar o gestionar de forma sostenible los bosques y otros paisajes clave a tomar decisiones informadas basadas en la más reciente inteligencia ambiental, independientemente del idioma o la experiencia técnica.



Global Forest Watch es la razón por la que estamos aquí hoy. Global Nature Watch es nuestro camino a seguir.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">¿Qué significa esto para los usuarios de Global Forest Watch?</h2>



Aunque el nombre cambia, nuestro compromiso sigue siendo el mismo: proporcionar acceso abierto a los mejores datos y herramientas disponibles para ayudar a las personas de todo el mundo a proteger y restaurar la naturaleza, fortalecer los medios de vida de las comunidades locales y hacer frente al cambio climático. Los bosques siguen siendo el centro de nuestra misión y son fundamentales para el futuro de Global Nature Watch.



A medida que Global Nature Watch amplía los datos y la cobertura más allá de los bosques, los usuarios podrán monitorear paisajes interconectados, lo que contribuirá a una mejor comprensión de los factores que impulsan el cambio forestal, a identificar amenazas emergentes y a tomar decisiones de gestión más fundamentadas. Para quienes trabajan en paisajes mixtos, esta perspectiva más amplia proporciona un contexto valioso para comprender la salud y la resiliencia de los bosques.



Por el momento, nada cambia para los usuarios, excepto el nombre. Nuestros usuarios continuarán teniendo acceso a los datos, herramientas y flujos de trabajo en los que confían actualmente, a medida que Global Forest Watch se convierte en Global Nature Watch.



Específicamente:  



<ul>
<li>Las áreas de interés guardadas en myGFW seguirán disponibles. </li>



<li>Las suscripciones y notificaciones de alertas continuarán sin interrupciones. </li>



<li>Los flujos de trabajo de monitoreo existentes, incluida la sincronización con Forest Watcher, se mantendrán. </li>



<li>Los enlaces y marcadores guardados seguirán funcionando.</li>
</ul>



Con el tiempo, verá un nuevo diseño y una experiencia de usuario mejorada que refleja la evolución continua de nuestras capacidades y cobertura. Puede explorar lo que está en desarrollo en <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, donde su opinión es increíblemente importante.



Estamos agradecidos con nuestra comunidad, que ha contribuido a dar forma a este trabajo durante la última década, y esperamos construir juntos el futuro de Global Nature Watch. Nuestra comunidad de usuarios continuará desempeñando un papel importante a medida que evolucionen las nuevas capacidades y herramientas. Esperamos compartir más sobre lo que viene para Global Nature Watch.



Únase a nuestra lista de correo para recibir actualizaciones periódicas a lo largo de este recorrido. Si tiene alguna pregunta, escríbanos a <a href="mailto:gfw@wri.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gfw@wri.org</a>.



<style type="text/css"></style>

Global Forest Watch se convierte en Global Nature Watch

Dengan penuh semangat, kami mengumumkan bahwa Global Forest Watch kini berubah menjadi Global Nature Watch.



Nama baru ini mencerminkan evolusi selanjutnya dari pekerjaan kami: memajukan pemantauan hutan sekaligus memperluas data, alat, dan wawasan kami ke berbagai lanskap yang lebih luas, termasuk padang rumput, lahan pertanian, pohon di luar kawasan hutan, dan masih banyak lagi. Dengan membangun pemahaman yang lebih mendalam tentang ekosistem-ekosistem penting ini, kami bertujuan untuk menciptakan gambaran yang lebih lengkap tentang perubahan lanskap Bumi.



Kemajuan dalam kecerdasan buatan (AI), ilmu penginderaan jauh, dan teknologi geospasial juga menciptakan peluang baru untuk membuat informasi lingkungan lebih mudah diakses dan ditindaklanjuti oleh orang-orang yang bekerja untuk melindungi, memulihkan, dan mengelola lahan secara berkelanjutan. Di bawah naungan Global Nature Watch, kami akan membantu menyatukan inovasi-inovasi ini untuk mendorong generasi berikutnya dari pemantauan hutan dan alam — sebagian besar pekerjaan ini sudah mulai terwujud melalui <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, nama baru untuk platform Global Nature Watch yang inovatif berbasis AI dan kini tersedia dalam versi pratinjau.



Visi kami sangat ambisius: membantu siapa saja yang bekerja untuk melindungi, memulihkan, atau mengelola secara berkelanjutan hutan dan lanskap penting lainnya agar dapat membuat keputusan berdasarkan informasi berdasarkan kecerdasan lingkungan terkini, terlepas dari bahasa atau keahlian teknis mereka.



Global Forest Watch adalah alasan kami hadir hari ini. Global Nature Watch adalah jalan kami ke depan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apa artinya ini bagi pengguna Global Forest Watch?</h2>



Meskipun namanya berubah, komitmen kami tetap sama: menyediakan akses terbuka terhadap data dan alat terbaik yang tersedia untuk membantu masyarakat di mana pun dalam melindungi dan memulihkan alam, memperkuat penghidupan, dan mengatasi perubahan iklim. Hutan tetap menjadi inti misi kami dan landasan bagi masa depan Global Nature Watch.



Seiring dengan perluasan datan dan cakupan Global Nature Watch yang melampaui kawasan hutan, pengguna akan dapat memantau lanskap yang saling terhubung, sehingga membantu meningkatkan pemahaman tentang faktor-faktor pendorong perubahan hutan, mengidentifikasi ancaman yang muncul, dan membuat keputusan pengelolaan yang lebih terinformasi. Bagi mereka yang bekerja di lanskap campuran, perspektif yang lebih luas ini memberikan konteks yang berharga untuk memahami kesehatan dan ketahanan hutan.



Saat ini, tidak ada yang berubah bagi pengguna kecuali nama platform kami. Pengguna akan terus memiliki akses ke data, alat, dan alur kerja yang selama ini mereka andalkan seiring Global Forest Watch bertransisi menjadi Global Nature Watch.



Secara spesifik:  



<ul>
<li>Area minat yang tersimpan di myGFW akan tetap tersedia. </li>



<li>Langganan dan notifikasi peringatan akan terus berjalan tanpa gangguan. </li>



<li>Alur kerja pemantauan yang ada, termasuk sinkronisasi dengan Forest Watcher, akan tetap berjalan. </li>



<li>Tautan dan bookmark yang tersimpan akan tetap berfungsi.</li>
</ul>



Seiring waktu, Anda akan melihat tampilan baru dan pengalaman pengguna yang lebih baik yang mencerminkan evolusi berkelanjutan dari kemampuan dan cakupan kami. Anda dapat menjelajahi apa yang sedang dikembangkan di <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, di mana masukan Anda sangat penting.



Kami sangat berterima kasih kepada komunitas yang telah membantu membentuk pekerjaan ini selama satu dekade terakhir, dan kami berharap dapat membangun masa depan Global Nature Watch bersama-sama. Komunitas pengguna kami akan terus memainkan peran penting seiring berkembangnya kemampuan dan alat baru. Kami berharap dapat berbagi lebih banyak tentang apa yang akan datang untuk Global Nature Watch.



Bergabunglah dengan mailing list kami untuk menerima pembaruan rutin sepanjang perjalanan ini. Jika Anda memiliki pertanyaan, silakan hubungi kami di <a href="mailto:gfw@wri.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gfw@wri.org</a>.



<style type="text/css"></style>

Global Forest Watch Berubah Menjadi Global Nature Watch

Global Forest Watch is becoming Global Nature Watch, reflecting the next evolution of our work to expand data and coverage beyond forests.

commodities

commodities | Global Forest Watch Blog

deforestation

deforestation | Global Forest Watch Blog

Radost Stanimirova

Maxim Neumann

Anton Raichuk

Drew Purves 

New Data Shows What’s Driving Forest Loss Around the World

New data provides a more detailed picture than ever before on the local, regional and global causes of tree cover loss.

amazon

amazon | Global Forest Watch Blog

Indonesia

Indonesia | Global Forest Watch Blog

Tropical Rainforest Loss Slowed in 2025, but Fire is a Growing Threat to Forests Worldwide

Tropical forest loss slowed in 2025 thanks to strong policies and enforcement, but fires threaten to reverse this progress.

Global Nature Watch Blog

Featured Articles

Fragmentation and Fires Are Threatening the World’s Last Intact Forests

Global Forest Watch is Becoming Global Nature Watch

New Data Shows What’s Driving Forest Loss Around the World

Tropical Rainforest Loss Slowed in 2025, but Fire is a Growing Threat to Forests Worldwide

Fragmentation and Fires Are Threatening the World’s Last Intact Forests

Global Forest Watch is Becoming Global Nature Watch

New Data Shows What’s Driving Forest Loss Around the World

Tropical Rainforest Loss Slowed in 2025, but Fire is a Growing Threat to Forests Worldwide

All articles

The Next Generation of Grantees: Introducing the 2026–2027 Small Grants Fund Recipients

How Might a ‘Super El Niño’ Affect Food, Forests and Water?

Global Forest Watch’s 2025 Tree Cover Loss Data Explained

What’s New With GFW’s Forest Carbon Monitoring

Can Forests Withstand and Recover from Wildfires?

Near-Real-Time Disturbance Alerts for All Vegetation Globally are Now Available on GFW

Mapping Forest Roads in the Congo Basin in Unprecedented Detail with AI

Why Forest Loss in the Congo Basin Requires Immediate Action

Behind the Pixels: Monitoring Deforestation in Post-Coup Myanmar