
<p><strong>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.</strong></p>


Global Nature Watch Blog

<p><strong>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.</strong></p>

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

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<p>High-resolution Planet imagery is available again for a limited area in the Amazon Biome via <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>. Imagery is masked to a 500 m buffer around recent integrated disturbance alerts to support investigation, with monthly mosaics dating back to September 2020. <a href="https://globalnaturewatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/planet-imagery-changes-gfw/?utm_medium=notification&#038;utm_source=gnwnoticeboard&#038;utm_campaign=planetupdate">Learn more</a>.</p>


Select Planet Imagery is Now Available on Horizon

Data &amp; Tools

Data &amp; Tools | Global Forest Watch Blog

mapping

mapping | Global Forest Watch Blog

Michelle Sims

Maxim Neumann

Anton Raichuk

Peter Potapov

Myroslava Lesiv

Sarah Carter

<p>Different forest and tree cover types — such as primary forests, plantation forests (like eucalyptus plantations) and agricultural tree crops (like cacao and oil palm) — differ in terms of their biodiversity value, carbon density and importance to local communities.</p>



<p>As such, information on forest types is crucial for forest management and land use planning decisions, as well as for policy requirements such as monitoring compliance under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Similar distinctions are needed for forest finance mechanisms like the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, which will pay countries for standing tropical forest, and for tracking progress toward global biodiversity targets.</p>



<p>Yet one of the most persistent challenges in satellite-based forest monitoring has been distinguishing these distinct types of forests and trees. Satellite-based systems often report tree cover, a biophysical measure of woody vegetation, <a href="https://gfr.wri.org/key-terms-definitions#talking-about-tree-cover" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">because this metric can be easily observed from space</a>. But not all tree cover is considered a forest according to commonly used definitions, and this metric does not distinguish between different forest types.</p>



<p>A new <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-026-08299-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest typology map</a>, produced by Google DeepMind and Google Research in collaboration with WRI and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) using state-of-the-art methods, represents a major step forward by providing a detailed map of five major forest types globally at 10-meter resolution for the year 2020. It is the first global map at a high spatial resolution to distinguish between primary, naturally regenerating, planted and plantation forests, and agricultural tree crops, and is freely available under an open license.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-photo-slider" data-src="visualisation/30591439?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img decoding="async" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30591439/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="photo-slider visualization" /></noscript></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What does the forest typology data show?</h2>



<p>The forest typology map provides globally consistent information on the extent of forest types around the world.</p>



<p>The global 2020 map identifies six classes that align with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) definitions, which are also referenced by the EUDR. FAO defines forest as land spanning more than 0.5 hectares with trees taller than five meters and a canopy cover of more than 10%, excluding land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use. Within this definition of forest, the map has five tree-based classes that are distinguished by land use, management intensity and rotation period, and also includes a sixth class encompassing all other land cover.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="story/3837586?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img decoding="async" src="https://public.flourish.studio/story/3837586/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="visualization" /></noscript></div>



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



<p>We developed the global forest typology map using a deep learning model whose primary input was Google’s <a href="https://deepmind.google/blog/alphaearth-foundations-helps-map-our-planet-in-unprecedented-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AlphaEarth Foundations (AEF) embeddings</a>. AEF embeddings are annual numerical representations of the Earth’s land surface derived from multiple sources of satellite data (including optical and radar) at 10-meter resolution.</p>



<p>The model was trained on approximately 1.7 million samples collected by experts and derived from regional datasets on tree crops, plantations and other global and regional maps. Model training was conducted in three stages, each building on the previous one:</p>



<p><em>Stage 1: Training on expert-annotated data</em></p>



<p>In the first stage, the model was trained on nearly 450,000 curated, high quality labels &nbsp;that were harmonized to align with forest typology categories. Most of the labels describe the dominant class within roughly 100 x 100-meter areas.</p>



<p><em>Stage 2: Large-scale training</em></p>



<p>The next stage scaled training to 1.2 million samples globally with more detailed labels, while building on what the model learned during the first phase. Each training sample was a 1280 x 1280-meter densely labeled patch at 10-meter resolution, meaning that each 10-meter pixel within a patch had a label. The labeled patches were created using the class probabilities from the first model refined with other global and regional datasets.</p>



<p><em>Stage 3: Temporal calibration</em></p>



<p>The third stage improved the temporal consistency of the model and reduced noise. In this stage, training labels were generated for 2019-2024 with the class probabilities from the second model refined with ancillary data on forest change. AEF embeddings for all years from 2019-2024 were used as model inputs, allowing the model to use context from neighboring years while reflecting recent forest changes.</p>



<p>In each of these stages, an active learning workflow was implemented to improve map quality in underrepresented regions and for challenging classes. Experts visually inspected the maps to identify errors and collected targeted additional training labels to improve the forest type prediction.</p>



<p>To assess the accuracy of the map, we collected an independent stratified random sample of reference labels. We found that the overall accuracy of the map is 90.2%, with the highest accuracies for the <em>primary, naturally regenerating forest, </em>and <em>other </em>classes.</p>



<p>As with all large datasets, there are some limitations. Because the class definitions are aligned with FAO definitions that rely on management intent and history, which is not always directly observable from satellite imagery, the model relies on proxies such as spectral characteristics, canopy structure and spatial context to distinguish the classes. As a result, there is uncertainty at class boundaries, such as mature secondary forests that appear similar to primary forests from space. Similarly, the relatively lower accuracy for the <em>planted forest</em> class reflects the challenge of distinguishing this class from both naturally regenerating forest and plantation forest. Shaded agroforestry systems, such as cacao or coffee grown under a native canopy, may be mapped as natural forest in some regions.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-026-08299-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Explore the publication</a> for more information on the methodology, accuracy and limitations.</p>



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



<p>Being able to distinguish between forest types is an important factor for effective forest protection and sustainable management. Specific ways the forest typology data can be used to support these efforts include:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Prioritizing areas for protection:</strong><em> </em>The map can support the identification of areas where remaining primary and naturally regenerating forests should be prioritized for protection to meet biodiversity targets, such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target to conserve and effectively manage 30% of the world’s land (the 30×30 target).</li>



<li><strong>Baseline for monitoring forest loss and gain: </strong>The map can be used as a baseline and combined with various forest monitoring datasets, such as <a href="https://gfw.global/czcrus">tree cover loss and gain data available on Global Nature Watch</a>, to provide more detailed insights on forest loss and gain dynamics. We explored this use case in an initial analysis — see some of our global results below.</li>



<li><strong>Supporting deforestation-free supply chains:</strong> The EUDR uses the year 2020 as a baseline and treats tree crop plantations and agroforestry as agricultural land rather than forest. The forest typology map helps users check whether a production area was natural forest at the end of 2020 or was already converted to agricultural tree crops. Under the EUDR, the conversion of primary or naturally regenerating forest into plantations and the conversion of primary forest to planted forest are considered forest degradation, so knowing the forest type in 2020 is a first step toward monitoring compliance.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Adapt the map to your specific needs</em></h3>



<p>Because the data includes per-class probabilities, users can adapt the map to their needs by using custom probability thresholds. Using a higher probability threshold for a class gives more confidence that mapped areas are truly of a given type. The class probabilities are relative confidence scores rather than calibrated probabilities, so local validation is recommended for important management decisions about individual farms or concessions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Access the data</em></h3>



<p>The data is available on <a href="https://developers.google.com/earth-engine/datasets/catalog/projects_nature-trace_assets_forest_typology_forest_typology_2020_v1_0_collection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google Earth Engine</a> and can be downloaded <a href="https://plus.figshare.com/articles/dataset/_i_Forest_Typology_2020_v1_i_/32288616" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. In the coming weeks, the data will be available to view and analyze on <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, our AI-powered platform in preview.</p>



<p>The data is provided as a global raster, with bands representing class probabilities. These probabilities can be combined to form the categorical forest type map. Forest type classes can also be combined as needed — for example, into natural forest and all other lands.</p>



<style>
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   width: 100% !important;
float: none !important;
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!important;
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<aside id="textbox"><em><b>How does the forest typology data compare to other data available on GNW?</b></em><p></p>
Global Nature Watch contains a few other datasets that provide information on forest types, but these datasets differ in terms of their level of detail, definitions, methods and coverage. As a result, each of these datasets may be suited for different applications or monitoring and analysis goals. 
<br>
<div class="flourish-embed flourish-table" data-src="visualisation/30591234?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img decoding="async" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30591234/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="table visualization" /></noscript></div>
</aside>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is the data revealing about forest change and what’s next for forest typology mapping?</h2>



<p>To explore what the forest typology map can tell us about forest change, we combined the map with <a href="https://gfw.global/czcrus">tree cover loss and gain data</a>. This analysis starts to reveal new insights about forest loss and recovery dynamics globally.</p>



<p>We found that globally from 2021-2025, the majority (71%) of loss occurred in primary and naturally regenerating forests, although this varies substantially by region. This distinction can help separate wood harvest and management in managed forest types (planted or plantation forests and tree crops) from natural forest loss.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/30494582?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img decoding="async" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30494582/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="chart visualization" /></noscript></div>



<p>Similarly, distinguishing forest types can help us understand the nature of forest regrowth and gain, separating the establishment and regrowth of plantations from natural forest recovery. We found that globally from 2000-2020, the majority (72%) of new tree cover gain (areas that had tree cover in 2020 but no tree cover in 2000) largely represents regrowth of natural forest. Similarly, the majority (73%) of regrowth following a disturbance in the period between 2000 and 2020 represents natural forest regeneration.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/30495838?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img decoding="async" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30495838/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="chart visualization" /></noscript></div>



<p>These findings are a first step in applying the forest typology map to understand what types of forests are being lost and gained around the world and why.</p>



<p>In the next phase, the team that produced the 2020 map is developing annual maps for the period from 2017-2025 and beyond, which are currently <a href="https://nature-trace.projects.earthengine.app/view/forest-typology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">available as a beta version under early release</a>. These maps are preliminary and are subject to change as the team works to improve them. Ultimately, they will allow for more flexibility when using the map as a baseline for various monitoring objectives and will also enable monitoring changes between forest types across years.</p>



<p>The forthcoming annual maps represent an important component in a suite of new forest monitoring products we’re developing that will enable more robust and comprehensive forest monitoring. Stay tuned for future updates!</p>



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

New Data Identifies Forest Types Across the Globe

<p>Different forest and tree cover types — such as primary forests, plantation forests (like eucalyptus plantations) and agricultural tree crops (like cacao and oil palm) — differ in terms of their biodiversity value, carbon density and importance to local communities.</p>



<p>As such, information on forest types is crucial for forest management and land use planning decisions, as well as for policy requirements such as monitoring compliance under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Similar distinctions are needed for forest finance mechanisms like the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, which will pay countries for standing tropical forest, and for tracking progress toward global biodiversity targets.</p>



<p>Yet one of the most persistent challenges in satellite-based forest monitoring has been distinguishing these distinct types of forests and trees. Satellite-based systems often report tree cover, a biophysical measure of woody vegetation, <a href="https://gfr.wri.org/key-terms-definitions#talking-about-tree-cover" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">because this metric can be easily observed from space</a>. But not all tree cover is considered a forest according to commonly used definitions, and this metric does not distinguish between different forest types.</p>



<p>A new <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-026-08299-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest typology map</a>, produced by Google DeepMind and Google Research in collaboration with WRI and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) using state-of-the-art methods, represents a major step forward by providing a detailed map of five major forest types globally at 10-meter resolution for the year 2020. It is the first global map at a high spatial resolution to distinguish between primary, naturally regenerating, planted and plantation forests, and agricultural tree crops, and is freely available under an open license.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-photo-slider" data-src="visualisation/30591439?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30591439/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="photo-slider visualization" /></noscript></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What does the forest typology data show?</h2>



<p>The forest typology map provides globally consistent information on the extent of forest types around the world.</p>



<p>The global 2020 map identifies six classes that align with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) definitions, which are also referenced by the EUDR. FAO defines forest as land spanning more than 0.5 hectares with trees taller than five meters and a canopy cover of more than 10%, excluding land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use. Within this definition of forest, the map has five tree-based classes that are distinguished by land use, management intensity and rotation period, and also includes a sixth class encompassing all other land cover.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="story/3837586?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/story/3837586/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="visualization" /></noscript></div>



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



<p>We developed the global forest typology map using a deep learning model whose primary input was Google’s <a href="https://deepmind.google/blog/alphaearth-foundations-helps-map-our-planet-in-unprecedented-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AlphaEarth Foundations (AEF) embeddings</a>. AEF embeddings are annual numerical representations of the Earth’s land surface derived from multiple sources of satellite data (including optical and radar) at 10-meter resolution.</p>



<p>The model was trained on approximately 1.7 million samples collected by experts and derived from regional datasets on tree crops, plantations and other global and regional maps. Model training was conducted in three stages, each building on the previous one:</p>



<p><em>Stage 1: Training on expert-annotated data</em></p>



<p>In the first stage, the model was trained on nearly 450,000 curated, high quality labels &nbsp;that were harmonized to align with forest typology categories. Most of the labels describe the dominant class within roughly 100 x 100-meter areas.</p>



<p><em>Stage 2: Large-scale training</em></p>



<p>The next stage scaled training to 1.2 million samples globally with more detailed labels, while building on what the model learned during the first phase. Each training sample was a 1280 x 1280-meter densely labeled patch at 10-meter resolution, meaning that each 10-meter pixel within a patch had a label. The labeled patches were created using the class probabilities from the first model refined with other global and regional datasets.</p>



<p><em>Stage 3: Temporal calibration</em></p>



<p>The third stage improved the temporal consistency of the model and reduced noise. In this stage, training labels were generated for 2019-2024 with the class probabilities from the second model refined with ancillary data on forest change. AEF embeddings for all years from 2019-2024 were used as model inputs, allowing the model to use context from neighboring years while reflecting recent forest changes.</p>



<p>In each of these stages, an active learning workflow was implemented to improve map quality in underrepresented regions and for challenging classes. Experts visually inspected the maps to identify errors and collected targeted additional training labels to improve the forest type prediction.</p>



<p>To assess the accuracy of the map, we collected an independent stratified random sample of reference labels. We found that the overall accuracy of the map is 90.2%, with the highest accuracies for the <em>primary, naturally regenerating forest, </em>and <em>other </em>classes.</p>



<p>As with all large datasets, there are some limitations. Because the class definitions are aligned with FAO definitions that rely on management intent and history, which is not always directly observable from satellite imagery, the model relies on proxies such as spectral characteristics, canopy structure and spatial context to distinguish the classes. As a result, there is uncertainty at class boundaries, such as mature secondary forests that appear similar to primary forests from space. Similarly, the relatively lower accuracy for the <em>planted forest</em> class reflects the challenge of distinguishing this class from both naturally regenerating forest and plantation forest. Shaded agroforestry systems, such as cacao or coffee grown under a native canopy, may be mapped as natural forest in some regions.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-026-08299-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Explore the publication</a> for more information on the methodology, accuracy and limitations.</p>



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



<p>Being able to distinguish between forest types is an important factor for effective forest protection and sustainable management. Specific ways the forest typology data can be used to support these efforts include:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Prioritizing areas for protection:</strong><em> </em>The map can support the identification of areas where remaining primary and naturally regenerating forests should be prioritized for protection to meet biodiversity targets, such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target to conserve and effectively manage 30% of the world’s land (the 30x30 target).</li>



<li><strong>Baseline for monitoring forest loss and gain: </strong>The map can be used as a baseline and combined with various forest monitoring datasets, such as <a href="https://gfw.global/czcrus">tree cover loss and gain data available on Global Nature Watch</a>, to provide more detailed insights on forest loss and gain dynamics. We explored this use case in an initial analysis — see some of our global results below.</li>



<li><strong>Supporting deforestation-free supply chains:</strong> The EUDR uses the year 2020 as a baseline and treats tree crop plantations and agroforestry as agricultural land rather than forest. The forest typology map helps users check whether a production area was natural forest at the end of 2020 or was already converted to agricultural tree crops. Under the EUDR, the conversion of primary or naturally regenerating forest into plantations and the conversion of primary forest to planted forest are considered forest degradation, so knowing the forest type in 2020 is a first step toward monitoring compliance.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Adapt the map to your specific needs</em></h3>



<p>Because the data includes per-class probabilities, users can adapt the map to their needs by using custom probability thresholds. Using a higher probability threshold for a class gives more confidence that mapped areas are truly of a given type. The class probabilities are relative confidence scores rather than calibrated probabilities, so local validation is recommended for important management decisions about individual farms or concessions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Access the data</em></h3>



<p>The data is available on <a href="https://developers.google.com/earth-engine/datasets/catalog/projects_nature-trace_assets_forest_typology_forest_typology_2020_v1_0_collection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google Earth Engine</a> and can be downloaded <a href="https://plus.figshare.com/articles/dataset/_i_Forest_Typology_2020_v1_i_/32288616" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. In the coming weeks, the data will be available to view and analyze on <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, our AI-powered platform in preview.</p>



<p>The data is provided as a global raster, with bands representing class probabilities. These probabilities can be combined to form the categorical forest type map. Forest type classes can also be combined as needed — for example, into natural forest and all other lands.</p>



<style>
.css-19vc5o2 aside {
   width: 100% !important;
float: none !important;
margin-left:
0px
!important;
}
</style>
<aside id="textbox"><em><b>How does the forest typology data compare to other data available on GNW?</b></em><p></p>
Global Nature Watch contains a few other datasets that provide information on forest types, but these datasets differ in terms of their level of detail, definitions, methods and coverage. As a result, each of these datasets may be suited for different applications or monitoring and analysis goals. 
<br>
<div class="flourish-embed flourish-table" data-src="visualisation/30591234?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30591234/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="table visualization" /></noscript></div>
</aside>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is the data revealing about forest change and what’s next for forest typology mapping?</h2>



<p>To explore what the forest typology map can tell us about forest change, we combined the map with <a href="https://gfw.global/czcrus">tree cover loss and gain data</a>. This analysis starts to reveal new insights about forest loss and recovery dynamics globally.</p>



<p>We found that globally from 2021-2025, the majority (71%) of loss occurred in primary and naturally regenerating forests, although this varies substantially by region. This distinction can help separate wood harvest and management in managed forest types (planted or plantation forests and tree crops) from natural forest loss.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/30494582?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30494582/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="chart visualization" /></noscript></div>



<p>Similarly, distinguishing forest types can help us understand the nature of forest regrowth and gain, separating the establishment and regrowth of plantations from natural forest recovery. We found that globally from 2000-2020, the majority (72%) of new tree cover gain (areas that had tree cover in 2020 but no tree cover in 2000) largely represents regrowth of natural forest. Similarly, the majority (73%) of regrowth following a disturbance in the period between 2000 and 2020 represents natural forest regeneration.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/30495838?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30495838/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="chart visualization" /></noscript></div>



<p>These findings are a first step in applying the forest typology map to understand what types of forests are being lost and gained around the world and why.</p>



<p>In the next phase, the team that produced the 2020 map is developing annual maps for the period from 2017-2025 and beyond, which are currently <a href="https://nature-trace.projects.earthengine.app/view/forest-typology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">available as a beta version under early release</a>. These maps are preliminary and are subject to change as the team works to improve them. Ultimately, they will allow for more flexibility when using the map as a baseline for various monitoring objectives and will also enable monitoring changes between forest types across years.</p>



<p>The forthcoming annual maps represent an important component in a suite of new forest monitoring products we’re developing that will enable more robust and comprehensive forest monitoring. Stay tuned for future updates!</p>



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

New data from GNW and partners provides a detailed map of five major forest types globally at 10-meter resolution for the year 2020.

Comment

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

Paige Johnson

commodities

commodities | Global Forest Watch Blog

Jessica Richter

Liz Goldman

Ruth Nogueron

<p>Forests remain under sustained pressure from agricultural expansion, infrastructure development and resource extraction, making it essential to understand where and why forests are changing and how to mitigate the impacts of changes driven by these activities. Satellite data has transformed our ability to monitor changes in forest cover, but understanding the activities directly driving these changes and whether they are authorized requires additional context.</p>



<p>To help provide this context, <a href="https://gfw.global/bStZUH">Global Nature Watch (GNW)</a>, formerly Global Forest Watch, recently updated our concession data. Concessions are government-issued licenses to companies or the public to manage public lands for defined activities. For some countries, the data provides information on who holds these rights, what type of activity is allowed, and for how long, helping us connect patterns of forest and other natural ecosystem change to the policies and industries shaping them. <a href="https://www.wri.org/research/logging-mining-and-agricultural-concessions-data-transparency-survey-14-forested-countries" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open and accessible concession data</a> helps governments, NGOs and local communities see what may be driving land change and whether the change was authorized. This is the foundation for sound natural resource management and governance.</p>



<p>Since 2014, GNW has hosted map layers for five concession types that drive tree cover loss: logging, mining, oil palm, oil and gas, and wood fiber. These concession maps were last updated in 2021; however, over time, sources became outdated and better documentation was needed to track updates to these boundaries.</p>



<p>Now, we’ve updated the five concession map layers by adding 34 million hectares — equivalent to the size of the Republic of the Congo — of new or updated boundaries across 12 countries, as well as adding improved attribution and documentation. The updated maps allow users to better monitor the impacts of commodity demands on our world’s forests, help stakeholders avoid conflicting land use allocations and support community-led monitoring.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/gnw_concessions.png" alt="" class="wp-image-20608" style="aspect-ratio:1.7772511848341233;width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/gnw_concessions.png 1500w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/gnw_concessions-1024x576.png 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/gnw_concessions-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



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<aside id="textbox"><em><b>What are the different types of concessions?</b></em><p></p>
GNW hosts five concession types:
<li>Logging concessions: Areas allocated by governments for commercial timber production.</li>
<li>Mining concessions: Areas allocated by governments for the extraction of minerals.</li>
<li>Oil palm concessions: Areas allocated by governments for oil palm plantations.</li>
<li>Oil and gas concessions: Areas allocated by governments for the exploration of oil, gas, and other hydrocarbons.</li>
<li>Wood fiber concessions: Areas allocated by governments for tree plantations used in the production of wood pulp to derive paper and paper products.</li><br>
Note that other concession types exist, such as conservation, tourism, wildlife management and more, and can be explored in other datasets on GNW such as the <a href="https://gfw.global/artHwh">World Database of Protected Areas</a> or individual country concession layers (see Peru and Cambodia).
</a>
</em> </aside>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What’s new with the GNW concessions data?</h2>



<p>The five concession map layers were originally launched on GNW in 2014, and were created by consolidating national concession boundaries into a single dataset per type of concession. Boundaries were sourced by searching government websites as well as websites of other NGOs that compile and/or host concession data. We focused our search within priority geographies for tropical forest conservation but opportunistically included data outside of these geographies where it was easily accessible. The sources often included key attributes — such as the company name or entity, status and source — that we retained in the map layers.</p>



<p><a></a>The latest update, completed in 2025, includes a significant refresh that updated or added concession data across a total of 12 countries (see map below), with source dates up to 2025. This refresh added 34 million hectares of allocated concession lands across all five layers and brings the total coverage to 21 countries. The attributes — additional details for each concession — were also standardized and expanded to ensure all concession layers include the following, as available:</p>



<ul>
<li>Type of legal contract being executed (e.g., exploration permit, exploitation license)</li>



<li>Contract IDs or permit numbers</li>



<li>Parent company or corporate group associated with the concession holder</li>



<li>Date the concession begins and ends</li>
</ul>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-map" data-src="visualisation/30497056?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img decoding="async" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30497056/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="map visualization" /></noscript></div>



<p>Attributes specific to the concession type, such as block numbers in oil and gas concessions, are also included. Each attribute name is standardized across all five layers to help users compile this information across concession type, and each download file includes an attribute key.</p>



<p>Source documentation is now also linked in each respective metadata page along with the year the source was last updated.</p>



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



<p>Open and accessible concession data supports forest monitoring and management by making boundaries visible and verifiable. The data provides supportive evidence that civil society groups, journalists, law enforcement agencies and due diligence processes need to hold actors accountable for environmental impacts within and around concession areas and enables participation by these groups in compliance monitoring.</p>



<p>This is particularly relevant under the <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/explain-eu-deforestation-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)</a>, which requires companies to trace regulated commodities back to the plot of land where they were produced and confirm production didn’t cause deforestation after 2020. While concession data alone cannot prove illegality, it can be used alongside other information, such as permits or management plans, to build a robust evidence base.</p>



<p>Additionally, the data supports better land-use planning, particularly at the national level, by helping governments create one comprehensive land-use map that incorporates concessions and other land-use layers across different ministries. This helps both governments and other stakeholders avoid conflicting land uses and land claims.</p>



<p>However, it is important to note the limitations of the concession maps:</p>



<ul>
<li>They do not indicate whether a land allocation was legally obtained, nor if the activities within it comply with other relevant laws and regulations.</li>



<li>They do not indicate if an allocation is free of land use conflicts, such as overlaps with other allocated land uses including protected areas or Indigenous land claims.</li>



<li>They do not guarantee that the land is actively being used for a designated activity.</li>



<li>The data can include imprecise boundaries, and coverage can be uneven across countries and commodity types.</li>



<li>The status of concessions can change quickly (e.g., from active to non-active), and it may take time for these changes to be reflected within official sources (note that inactive or expired concessions, as defined by the source, are excluded from concession layers on GNW).</li>



<li>On GNW specifically, concession extent is limited to prioritized geographies and where spatial data is publicly available, and therefore it does not include coverage across every country.</li>



<li>Not all map sources included have been provided or approved by a government entity. The compiled maps are our best assessment of concession extent using both government and non-government sources.</li>
</ul>



<p>This underpins the importance of using concession data alongside other supporting information such as permits, court decisions, satellite imagery or field verification, particularly in cases of enforcement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Examples of concession data in action</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Verifying causes of deforestation alerts in Indonesia</em></h3>



<p>The <a href="https://wri-indonesia.org/en/initiatives/landscape-monitoring-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Landscape Monitoring Initiative</a> was a collaborative project led by WRI Indonesia aimed at advancing forest monitoring and deforestation interventions across three Indonesian provinces. In this project, <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/radd-radar-alerts/">radar-based deforestation (RADD) alerts</a> were monitored and investigated across pilot jurisdictions to better understand where and why forest loss was occurring. Concession holders were responsible for monitoring and verifying activities within their respective areas by intersecting RADD alerts with their own concession boundaries.</p>



<p>In Bulungan Regency, one of the pilot jurisdictions, RADD alerts were identified within logging concessions. While some tree cover loss is expected from the concession holder’s authorized operations, additional verification is needed to confirm whether the loss is indeed part of the operations or due to other drivers. During the verification process, some alerts within the logging concessions were found to be driven by communities practicing shifting cultivation or permanent agriculture, rather than by the concession holder’s operations. This information allowed the Forest Management Unit to take appropriate action, including notifying the village administration of the loss and socializing relevant forest area management policies.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/gnw_bulungan.png" alt="" class="wp-image-20620" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/gnw_bulungan.png 1500w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/gnw_bulungan-1024x576.png 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/gnw_bulungan-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Assessing concession impacts on Saamaka land rights in Suriname</em></h3>



<p>The Saamaka are an Afro-descendent tribal community living in Suriname’s Amazonian rainforest. In 2007, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that the government of Suriname must <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/indigenous-peoples-local-communities-use-satellite-data-deforestation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recognize the traditional land rights</a> of the Saamaka and other Indigenous and community groups, requiring their approval for future projects on their lands.</p>



<p>In 2023, a logging company began bulldozing a road through the Saamaka’s forest. The development of the road was sanctioned within a logging concession by the government but did not have the Saamaka’s approval. The community used <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/indigenous-peoples-local-communities-use-satellite-data-deforestation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">logging concession data on GNW to gather evidence</a> that tree cover loss was increasing in their lands since 2007, driven by logging and mining activities. They found that tree cover loss inside government-granted logging concessions in and surrounding their territory totaled 44,700 hectares, or a 5.5% loss in tree cover from 2001-2022.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/30355890?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img decoding="async" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30355890/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="chart visualization" /></noscript></div>



<p>Representatives from the Saamaka territory and other Indigenous and local communities in Suriname brought this data to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in November 2023 as supportive evidence for reopening the case against the Suriname government and strengthening the traditional land rights afforded to them 16 years prior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where can I find the concession data and what’s next?</h2>



<p>Users can access the concession layers on the <a href="https://datasets.wri.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch map</a> and on the <a href="https://datasets.wri.org/">WRI Data Explorer</a>. Concession boundaries can be analyzed on-the-fly alongside key forest monitoring datasets, and users can download each concession type layer for further use.</p>



<p>Going forward, we plan to update the concessions data annually to ensure GNW continues to offer the most up-to-date concession boundaries available. Concessions are currently available across 21 countries, but efforts will continue to expand coverage, particularly in primary tropical forest countries such as Bolivia, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Paraguay, Thailand and Vietnam.</p>



<p>In the future, concession layers will also be made available on <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Horizon, GNW’s AI-enabled platform currently in preview</a>, further promoting open data access and expanding analysis capabilities.</p>



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GNW Extends Forest Concession Coverage by 34 Million Hectares, Adding Important Context to Forest Monitoring

<p>Forests remain under sustained pressure from agricultural expansion, infrastructure development and resource extraction, making it essential to understand where and why forests are changing and how to mitigate the impacts of changes driven by these activities. Satellite data has transformed our ability to monitor changes in forest cover, but understanding the activities directly driving these changes and whether they are authorized requires additional context.</p>



<p>To help provide this context, <a href="https://gfw.global/bStZUH">Global Nature Watch (GNW)</a>, formerly Global Forest Watch, recently updated our concession data. Concessions are government-issued licenses to companies or the public to manage public lands for defined activities. For some countries, the data provides information on who holds these rights, what type of activity is allowed, and for how long, helping us connect patterns of forest and other natural ecosystem change to the policies and industries shaping them. <a href="https://www.wri.org/research/logging-mining-and-agricultural-concessions-data-transparency-survey-14-forested-countries" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open and accessible concession data</a> helps governments, NGOs and local communities see what may be driving land change and whether the change was authorized. This is the foundation for sound natural resource management and governance.</p>



<p>Since 2014, GNW has hosted map layers for five concession types that drive tree cover loss: logging, mining, oil palm, oil and gas, and wood fiber. These concession maps were last updated in 2021; however, over time, sources became outdated and better documentation was needed to track updates to these boundaries.</p>



<p>Now, we’ve updated the five concession map layers by adding 34 million hectares — equivalent to the size of the Republic of the Congo — of new or updated boundaries across 12 countries, as well as adding improved attribution and documentation. The updated maps allow users to better monitor the impacts of commodity demands on our world's forests, help stakeholders avoid conflicting land use allocations and support community-led monitoring.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/gnw_concessions.png" alt="" class="wp-image-20608" style="aspect-ratio:1.7772511848341233;width:840px;height:auto"/></figure>



<style>
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   width: 100% !important;
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}
</style>
<aside id="textbox"><em><b>What are the different types of concessions?</b></em><p></p>
GNW hosts five concession types:
<li>Logging concessions: Areas allocated by governments for commercial timber production.</li>
<li>Mining concessions: Areas allocated by governments for the extraction of minerals.</li>
<li>Oil palm concessions: Areas allocated by governments for oil palm plantations.</li>
<li>Oil and gas concessions: Areas allocated by governments for the exploration of oil, gas, and other hydrocarbons.</li>
<li>Wood fiber concessions: Areas allocated by governments for tree plantations used in the production of wood pulp to derive paper and paper products.</li><br>
Note that other concession types exist, such as conservation, tourism, wildlife management and more, and can be explored in other datasets on GNW such as the <a href="https://gfw.global/artHwh">World Database of Protected Areas</a> or individual country concession layers (see Peru and Cambodia).
</a>
</em> </aside>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What’s new with the GNW concessions data?</h2>



<p>The five concession map layers were originally launched on GNW in 2014, and were created by consolidating national concession boundaries into a single dataset per type of concession. Boundaries were sourced by searching government websites as well as websites of other NGOs that compile and/or host concession data. We focused our search within priority geographies for tropical forest conservation but opportunistically included data outside of these geographies where it was easily accessible. The sources often included key attributes — such as the company name or entity, status and source — that we retained in the map layers.</p>



<p><a></a>The latest update, completed in 2025, includes a significant refresh that updated or added concession data across a total of 12 countries (see map below), with source dates up to 2025. This refresh added 34 million hectares of allocated concession lands across all five layers and brings the total coverage to 21 countries. The attributes — additional details for each concession — were also standardized and expanded to ensure all concession layers include the following, as available:</p>



<ul>
<li>Type of legal contract being executed (e.g., exploration permit, exploitation license)</li>



<li>Contract IDs or permit numbers</li>



<li>Parent company or corporate group associated with the concession holder</li>



<li>Date the concession begins and ends</li>
</ul>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-map" data-src="visualisation/30497056?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30497056/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="map visualization" /></noscript></div>



<p>Attributes specific to the concession type, such as block numbers in oil and gas concessions, are also included. Each attribute name is standardized across all five layers to help users compile this information across concession type, and each download file includes an attribute key.</p>



<p>Source documentation is now also linked in each respective metadata page along with the year the source was last updated.</p>



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



<p>Open and accessible concession data supports forest monitoring and management by making boundaries visible and verifiable. The data provides supportive evidence that civil society groups, journalists, law enforcement agencies and due diligence processes need to hold actors accountable for environmental impacts within and around concession areas and enables participation by these groups in compliance monitoring.</p>



<p>This is particularly relevant under the <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/explain-eu-deforestation-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)</a>, which requires companies to trace regulated commodities back to the plot of land where they were produced and confirm production didn't cause deforestation after 2020. While concession data alone cannot prove illegality, it can be used alongside other information, such as permits or management plans, to build a robust evidence base.</p>



<p>Additionally, the data supports better land-use planning, particularly at the national level, by helping governments create one comprehensive land-use map that incorporates concessions and other land-use layers across different ministries. This helps both governments and other stakeholders avoid conflicting land uses and land claims.</p>



<p>However, it is important to note the limitations of the concession maps:</p>



<ul>
<li>They do not indicate whether a land allocation was legally obtained, nor if the activities within it comply with other relevant laws and regulations.</li>



<li>They do not indicate if an allocation is free of land use conflicts, such as overlaps with other allocated land uses including protected areas or Indigenous land claims.</li>



<li>They do not guarantee that the land is actively being used for a designated activity.</li>



<li>The data can include imprecise boundaries, and coverage can be uneven across countries and commodity types.</li>



<li>The status of concessions can change quickly (e.g., from active to non-active), and it may take time for these changes to be reflected within official sources (note that inactive or expired concessions, as defined by the source, are excluded from concession layers on GNW).</li>



<li>On GNW specifically, concession extent is limited to prioritized geographies and where spatial data is publicly available, and therefore it does not include coverage across every country.</li>



<li>Not all map sources included have been provided or approved by a government entity. The compiled maps are our best assessment of concession extent using both government and non-government sources.</li>
</ul>



<p>This underpins the importance of using concession data alongside other supporting information such as permits, court decisions, satellite imagery or field verification, particularly in cases of enforcement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Examples of concession data in action</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Verifying causes of deforestation alerts in Indonesia</em></h3>



<p>The <a href="https://wri-indonesia.org/en/initiatives/landscape-monitoring-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Landscape Monitoring Initiative</a> was a collaborative project led by WRI Indonesia aimed at advancing forest monitoring and deforestation interventions across three Indonesian provinces. In this project, <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/radd-radar-alerts/">radar-based deforestation (RADD) alerts</a> were monitored and investigated across pilot jurisdictions to better understand where and why forest loss was occurring. Concession holders were responsible for monitoring and verifying activities within their respective areas by intersecting RADD alerts with their own concession boundaries.</p>



<p>In Bulungan Regency, one of the pilot jurisdictions, RADD alerts were identified within logging concessions. While some tree cover loss is expected from the concession holder’s authorized operations, additional verification is needed to confirm whether the loss is indeed part of the operations or due to other drivers. During the verification process, some alerts within the logging concessions were found to be driven by communities practicing shifting cultivation or permanent agriculture, rather than by the concession holder’s operations. This information allowed the Forest Management Unit to take appropriate action, including notifying the village administration of the loss and socializing relevant forest area management policies.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/gnw_bulungan.png" alt="" class="wp-image-20620"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Assessing concession impacts on Saamaka land rights in Suriname</em></h3>



<p>The Saamaka are an Afro-descendent tribal community living in Suriname’s Amazonian rainforest. In 2007, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that the government of Suriname must <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/indigenous-peoples-local-communities-use-satellite-data-deforestation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recognize the traditional land rights</a> of the Saamaka and other Indigenous and community groups, requiring their approval for future projects on their lands.</p>



<p>In 2023, a logging company began bulldozing a road through the Saamaka’s forest. The development of the road was sanctioned within a logging concession by the government but did not have the Saamaka’s approval. The community used <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/indigenous-peoples-local-communities-use-satellite-data-deforestation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">logging concession data on GNW to gather evidence</a> that tree cover loss was increasing in their lands since 2007, driven by logging and mining activities. They found that tree cover loss inside government-granted logging concessions in and surrounding their territory totaled 44,700 hectares, or a 5.5% loss in tree cover from 2001-2022.</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/30355890?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30355890/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="chart visualization" /></noscript></div>



<p>Representatives from the Saamaka territory and other Indigenous and local communities in Suriname brought this data to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in November 2023 as supportive evidence for reopening the case against the Suriname government and strengthening the traditional land rights afforded to them 16 years prior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where can I find the concession data and what’s next?</h2>



<p>Users can access the concession layers on the <a href="https://datasets.wri.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch map</a> and on the <a href="https://datasets.wri.org/">WRI Data Explorer</a>. Concession boundaries can be analyzed on-the-fly alongside key forest monitoring datasets, and users can download each concession type layer for further use.</p>



<p>Going forward, we plan to update the concessions data annually to ensure GNW continues to offer the most up-to-date concession boundaries available. Concessions are currently available across 21 countries, but efforts will continue to expand coverage, particularly in primary tropical forest countries such as Bolivia, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Paraguay, Thailand and Vietnam.</p>



<p>In the future, concession layers will also be made available on <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Horizon, GNW’s AI-enabled platform currently in preview</a>, further promoting open data access and expanding analysis capabilities.</p>



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Updated concessions map layers on GNW allow users to better monitor the impacts of commodity demands on our world's forests.

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Did you use Planet satellite imagery on GFW? Please tell us how this change affects you in our <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8260607/Planet-blog" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">short survey here</a>.</h3>



<p>Recent, high-resolution satellite imagery is essential for providing context to other data layers available on Global Nature Watch (GNW, formerly Global Forest Watch) and <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GNW Horizon</a>, such as interpreting drivers of tree cover change, identifying possible causes of near-real-time deforestation alerts, and in validation protocols to assess accuracy of land and forest cover and change products.</p>



<p>Launched in 2020, Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) partnered with Planet and Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) to provide high-resolution Planet imagery for free, including on GNW, through their Satellite Data Program.</p>



<p>That phase of the program ended, and Planet imagery was removed from GNW on April 1, 2025. However, Planet imagery has since become available again for a limited area, now through <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GNW Horizon</a>.</p>



<p>Here is what you need to know.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is Planet imagery?</h2>



<p>Planet’s high-resolution, analysis-ready mosaics (single images that combine multiple satellite images) of the world’s tropics are natural color images using information from visible light (red, green and blue) to show Earth’s surface as it would appear to the human eye. They are available monthly since September 2020.</p>



<p>Over the last few years, many GNW users have benefitted from Planet data, such as organizations like Mighty Earth and HAkA <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/people/video-patrol-leuser-ecosystem-forest-defenders-haka/">combatting illegal deforestation</a>, those <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/satellite-data-eu-regulation-deforestation-free-supply-chains/">responding to policies such as EUDR</a> and those reporting on deforestation and other critical forest-related news like Mongabay.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What were the changes to Planet on GNW in 2025?</h2>



<p>Planet imagery was removed from GNW on April 1, 2025. This meant that as of April 1, new Planet mosaics AND historical mosaics were no longer available on GNW.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is Planet imagery available again on GNW?</h2>



<p>In a limited way, yes, for part of the Amazon basin.</p>



<p>As of May 26, 2026, a partnership between GNW, Bezos Earth Fund, Andes Amazon Fund and Planet has made Planet’s high-resolution, analysis-ready monthly mosaics available on <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GNW’s AI-enabled platform Horizon (currently in preview)</a>, specifically for areas of recent vegetation disturbance in the Amazon basin. This partnership is intended to help reduce and reverse the loss of tropical forests, combat climate change, conserve biodiversity and facilitate sustainable development in the region, and is set to run for one year — until May 25, 2027. GNW will explore options for continuing access beyond that point as the agreement progresses.</p>



<p><strong>The coverage available now is limited.</strong> Imagery is viewable only in areas with vegetation disturbance alerts from the past two years, based on <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/integrated-deforestation-alerts/">Integrated Disturbance Alerts</a>, with a 500-meter buffer around alert pixels. This is intended to help users assess accuracy and investigate the causes of disturbance alerts within the Amazon basin; it is not a full re-launch of Planet imagery across the tropics, and Planet imagery is not available outside the Amazon basin. Imagery in these areas updates monthly on a rolling basis: mosaics for a given month are typically available from around the 15th of the following month, and new alerts are added to the historical mask over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What alternative satellite imagery can I use on GNW?</h2>



<p>GNW offers several other imagery sources that have global coverage and are available to users to support their work. If resolution is most important, <a href="https://gfw.global/4hQKGAQ">Google satellite imagery</a>, which is available globally for the past 1-3 years, has a resolution that ranges from 15 meters to 15 centimeters depending on the location. For alternative sources of recent data, imagery from the <a href="https://gfw.global/4l7PnJi">Landsat 8 (30-meter resolution) and Sentinel-2A (10-meter resolution)</a> satellites is also available since 2012 and is updated daily on GNW.</p>



<p>Since all imagery has different characteristics (e.g. time periods available and update frequency), users should assess which is most suited to their needs.</p>



<p>To learn more about how to use the satellite imagery currently available on GNW to investigate forest change please <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/help/map/guides/investigate-forest-change-satellite-imagery/">visit our Help Center</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How can I stay updated on these changes?</h2>



<p>For any questions regarding satellite imagery on GNW, please reach out to our team at gnw@wri.org. You can also learn more about Planet in their <a href="https://support.planet.com/hc/en-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Help Center</a>.</p>



<p>We will continue to update this blog as new information is available. You can always see the latest updates about data changes and outages in the notifications on the GNW main menu:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1593" height="750" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-08-115341.png" alt="" class="wp-image-20596" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-08-115341.png 1593w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-08-115341-1024x482.png 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-08-115341-768x362.png 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-08-115341-1536x723.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1593px) 100vw, 1593px" /></figure>



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Select Planet Imagery is Now Available on GNW Horizon — Here’s What You Should Know

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Did you use Planet satellite imagery on GFW? Please tell us how this change affects you in our <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8260607/Planet-blog" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">short survey here</a>.</h3>



<p>Recent, high-resolution satellite imagery is essential for providing context to other data layers available on Global Nature Watch (GNW, formerly Global Forest Watch) and <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GNW Horizon</a>, such as interpreting drivers of tree cover change, identifying possible causes of near-real-time deforestation alerts, and in validation protocols to assess accuracy of land and forest cover and change products.</p>



<p>Launched in 2020, Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) partnered with Planet and Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) to provide high-resolution Planet imagery for free, including on GNW, through their Satellite Data Program.</p>



<p>That phase of the program ended, and Planet imagery was removed from GNW on April 1, 2025. However, Planet imagery has since become available again for a limited area, now through <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GNW Horizon</a>.</p>



<p>Here is what you need to know.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is Planet imagery?</h2>



<p>Planet’s high-resolution, analysis-ready mosaics (single images that combine multiple satellite images) of the world’s tropics are natural color images using information from visible light (red, green and blue) to show Earth’s surface as it would appear to the human eye. They are available monthly since September 2020.</p>



<p>Over the last few years, many GNW users have benefitted from Planet data, such as organizations like Mighty Earth and HAkA <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/people/video-patrol-leuser-ecosystem-forest-defenders-haka/">combatting illegal deforestation</a>, those <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/satellite-data-eu-regulation-deforestation-free-supply-chains/">responding to policies such as EUDR</a> and those reporting on deforestation and other critical forest-related news like Mongabay.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What were the changes to Planet on GNW in 2025?</h2>



<p>Planet imagery was removed from GNW on April 1, 2025. This meant that as of April 1, new Planet mosaics AND historical mosaics were no longer available on GNW.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is Planet imagery available again on GNW?</h2>



<p>In a limited way, yes, for part of the Amazon basin.</p>



<p>As of May 26, 2026, a partnership between GNW, Bezos Earth Fund, Andes Amazon Fund and Planet has made Planet's high-resolution, analysis-ready monthly mosaics available on <a href="https://horizon.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GNW’s AI-enabled platform Horizon (currently in preview)</a>, specifically for areas of recent vegetation disturbance in the Amazon basin. This partnership is intended to help reduce and reverse the loss of tropical forests, combat climate change, conserve biodiversity and facilitate sustainable development in the region, and is set to run for one year — until May 25, 2027. GNW will explore options for continuing access beyond that point as the agreement progresses.</p>



<p><strong>The coverage available now is limited.</strong> Imagery is viewable only in areas with vegetation disturbance alerts from the past two years, based on <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/integrated-deforestation-alerts/">Integrated Disturbance Alerts</a>, with a 500-meter buffer around alert pixels. This is intended to help users assess accuracy and investigate the causes of disturbance alerts within the Amazon basin; it is not a full re-launch of Planet imagery across the tropics, and Planet imagery is not available outside the Amazon basin. Imagery in these areas updates monthly on a rolling basis: mosaics for a given month are typically available from around the 15th of the following month, and new alerts are added to the historical mask over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What alternative satellite imagery can I use on GNW?</h2>



<p>GNW offers several other imagery sources that have global coverage and are available to users to support their work. If resolution is most important, <a href="https://gfw.global/4hQKGAQ">Google satellite imagery</a>, which is available globally for the past 1-3 years, has a resolution that ranges from 15 meters to 15 centimeters depending on the location. For alternative sources of recent data, imagery from the <a href="https://gfw.global/4l7PnJi">Landsat 8 (30-meter resolution) and Sentinel-2A (10-meter resolution)</a> satellites is also available since 2012 and is updated daily on GNW.</p>



<p>Since all imagery has different characteristics (e.g. time periods available and update frequency), users should assess which is most suited to their needs.</p>



<p>To learn more about how to use the satellite imagery currently available on GNW to investigate forest change please <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/help/map/guides/investigate-forest-change-satellite-imagery/">visit our Help Center</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How can I stay updated on these changes?</h2>



<p>For any questions regarding satellite imagery on GNW, please reach out to our team at gnw@wri.org. You can also learn more about Planet in their <a href="https://support.planet.com/hc/en-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Help Center</a>.</p>



<p>We will continue to update this blog as new information is available. You can always see the latest updates about data changes and outages in the notifications on the GNW main menu:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-08-115341.png" alt="" class="wp-image-20596"/></figure>



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Select Planet Imagery is Now Available on GNW Horizon — Here's What You Should Know

<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Apakah Anda menggunakan citra satelit Planet di GFW? Beritahu kami bagaimana perubahan ini mempengaruhi Anda dalam </em></strong><a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8260607/Planet-blog" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>survei singkat kami di sini</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong> </h3>



<p>Citra satelit resolusi tinggi terbaru sangat penting untuk memberikan konteks pada lapisan data lain yang tersedia di Global Forest Watch (GFW), seperti menginterpretasikan faktor pendorong perubahan tutupan pohon, mengidentifikasi kemungkinan penyebab peringatan deforestasi secara nyaris seketika, serta digunakan dalam proses validasi awal untuk menilai akurasi data tutupan dan perubahan hutan dan lahan.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Diluncurkan pada 2020, Inisiatif Iklim dan Hutan Internasional Norwegia (NICFI) bekerja sama dengan Planet dan Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) untuk menyediakan citra resolusi tinggi dari Planet secara gratis, termasuk melalui platform GFW, lewat program mereka yang bernama Program Data Satelit.  </p>



<p>Namun, saat ini program tersebut telah berakhir, dan citra Planet tidak lagi tersedia di GFW per 1 April 2025, tetapi GFW akan terus menyediakan citra satelit lainnya. Inilah yang perlu Anda ketahui.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apa yang dimaksud dengan citra Planet? </h2>



<p>Citra Planet adalah mosaik resolusi tinggi yang siap dianalisis, yaitu gabungan dari beberapa citra satelit menjadi satu gambar utuh. Citra ini menampilkan kawasan tropis dalam warna alami, menggunakan kombinasi cahaya tampak (merah, hijau, dan biru) sehingga permukaan Bumi terlihat seperti yang tampak oleh mata manusia. Citra ini tersedia dua kali setahun dari Desember 2015 hingga Mei 2020, empat kali setahun pada periode Juni-Agustus 2020, dan setiap bulan sejak September 2020.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Selama beberapa tahun terakhir, banyak pengguna GFW yang telah mendapatkan manfaat dari data Planet. Misalnya, organisasi seperti Mighty Earth dan Yayasan Hutan, Alam, dan Lingkungan Aceh (HAkA) <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/people/video-patrol-leuser-ecosystem-forest-defenders-haka/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dalam memerangi deforestasi</a>, para pihak yang <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/satellite-data-eu-regulation-deforestation-free-supply-chains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">merespons kebijakan seperti EUDR</a>, serta media seperti Mongabay yang melaporkan deforestasi dan isu penting lainnya terkait hutan.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apa saja perubahan yang terjadi pada Citra Planet di GFW? </h2>



<p><strong>Mulai 1 April 2025, citra Planet telah dihapus dari platform GFW</strong>. Artinya, sejak tanggal tersebut, baik mosaik Planet terbaru DAN arsip mosaik sebelumnya sudah tidak lagi tersedia di GFW. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Citra satelit alternatif apa yang dapat saya gunakan di GFW? </h2>



<p>GFW masih menyediakan beberapa sumber citra satelit lain yang&nbsp; yang dapat digunakan untuk mendukung pekerjaan pengguna. Jika resolusi menjadi prioritas utama, <a href="https://gfw.global/4hQKGAQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">citra satelit Google</a> bisa menjadi pilihan. Citra ini tersedia secara global untuk kurun waktu 1-3 tahun terakhir dengan resolusi yang berkisar antara 15 meter hingga 15 sentimeter tergantung pada lokasinya. Untuk sumber alternatif data terbaru, GFW juga menyediakan citra dari satelit <a href="https://gfw.global/4l7PnJi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Landsat 8 (resolusi 30 meter) dan Sentinel-2A (resolusi 10 meter)</a> yang tersedia sejak tahun 2012 dan diperbarui setiap hari di GFW.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Karena masing-masing sumber citra satelit memiliki karakteristik yang berbeda (misalnya periode waktu yang tersedia dan frekuensi pembaruan), pengguna disarankan untuk menyesuaikan pilihan berdasarkan kebutuhan masing-masing.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Untuk mempelajari lebih lanjut mengenai cara menggunakan citra satelit yang tersedia di GFW untuk menginvestigasi perubahan hutan, silakan kunjungi <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/help/map/guides/investigate-forest-change-satellite-imagery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pusat Bantuan kami</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apakah akan ada citra satelit baru dari program NICFI di masa depan? </h2>



<p>NICFI berencana untuk melanjutkan Program Data Satelit, namun saat ini mereka sedang mempersiapkan fase baru yang akan diluncurkan akhir tahun ini. Dalam proses ini, NICFI sedang mengevaluasi penyedia data satelit serta berbagai aspek lain dari programnya, seperti frekuensi pembaruan dan jenis data yang akan disediakan.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Setelah NICFI siap untuk meluncurkan fase baru dari Program Data Satelit, GFW akan mempertimbangkan kemungkinan untuk menambahkan citra satelit baru ke dalam platform ini.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bagaimana cara saya tetap mendapatkan informasi terbaru terkait perubahan ini? </h2>



<p>Untuk mengikuti perkembangan terbaru dari Program Data Satelit NICFI, silakan mendaftar ke <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nicfi.no%2Fnewsletter%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CIsabela.Barriga%40wri.org%7C51c383e67cd4426038fd08dd3a349078%7C476bac1f36b24ad98699cda6bad1f862%7C0%7C0%7C638730719665838145%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=qcUFo47GOA4SkhXMOI8EvdXKIUlFp4b1KpOYWi%2FjD2Y%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">buletin NICFI</a>. Anda juga bisa mempelajari lebih lanjut tentang Planet melalui <a href="https://support.planet.com/hc/en-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pusat Bantuan</a> mereka.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Kami akan terus memperbarui blog ini seiring dengan ketersediaan informasi baru. Selain itu, Anda juga bisa melihat update terkini mengenai perubahan data atau gangguan layanan melalui notifikasi pada menu utama GFW:&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GFW-notice-board.png" alt="" class="wp-image-18675"/></figure>



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Citra Planet Tidak Lagi Tersedia di GFW - Inilah yang Harus Anda Ketahui 

Select Planet imagery is now available on GNW Horizon, and GNW continues to provide other satellite imagery. Here's what you should know.

Select Planet Imagery is Now Available on GNW Horizon — Here&#8217;s What You Should Know

Forest Insights

Forest Insights | Global Forest Watch Blog

Users In Action

Hear stories from the forest defenders working in the field.

Users In Action | Global Forest Watch Blog

<p><em>This blog was originally published on July 1, 2026, and will continue to be updated as we have new details to share.</em></p>



<p>We are excited to announce that <strong>Global Forest Watch is now Global Nature Watch.</strong></p>



<p>This new name reflects the <a href="https://www.wri.org/news/release-global-forest-watch-becomes-global-nature-watch-expanding-cover-more-land-ecosystems" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">next evolution of our work</a>: 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><strong>Our vision is ambitious</strong>: 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.</p>



<p>Global Forest Watch is why we’re here today. Global Nature Watch is our path forward.</p>



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



<p><strong>Although our name has changed, our commitment remains the same</strong>: 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><strong>Right now, nothing is changing for users except the name. </strong>Our users will continue to have access to the data, tools and workflows they currently rely on now that Global Forest Watch is Global Nature Watch.</p>



<p>Specifically:  </p>



<ul>
<li>Saved areas of interest in myGNW (formerly 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>



<p>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.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where do I go for what? &nbsp;</h2>



<p>As part of this evolution, Global Nature Watch will gradually consolidate some of our tools over time — <a href="https://pro-news.globalforestwatch.org/news-events/gfw-pro-is-consolidating-into-global-nature-watch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">starting with GFW Pro</a>. But we continue to offer and support other tools, each built for a distinct purpose:</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-table" data-src="visualisation/30052244?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img decoding="async" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30052244/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="table visualization" /></noscript></div>



<p>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.</p>



<p>Join our mailing list to receive regular updates throughout this journey. If you have any questions, please contact us by <a href="https://globalnaturewatch.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new">submitting this form</a>.</p>



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Global Forest Watch is Now Global Nature Watch

<p><em>This blog was originally published on July 1, 2026, and will continue to be updated as we have new details to share.</em></p>



<p>We are excited to announce that <strong>Global Forest Watch is now Global Nature Watch.</strong></p>



<p>This new name reflects the <a href="https://www.wri.org/news/release-global-forest-watch-becomes-global-nature-watch-expanding-cover-more-land-ecosystems" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">next evolution of our work</a>: 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><strong>Our vision is ambitious</strong>: 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.</p>



<p>Global Forest Watch is why we’re here today. Global Nature Watch is our path forward.</p>



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



<p><strong>Although our name has changed, our commitment remains the same</strong>: 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><strong>Right now, nothing is changing for users except the name. </strong>Our users will continue to have access to the data, tools and workflows they currently rely on now that Global Forest Watch is Global Nature Watch.</p>



<p>Specifically:  </p>



<ul>
<li>Saved areas of interest in myGNW (formerly 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>



<p>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.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where do I go for what? &nbsp;</h2>



<p>As part of this evolution, Global Nature Watch will gradually consolidate some of our tools over time — <a href="https://pro-news.globalforestwatch.org/news-events/gfw-pro-is-consolidating-into-global-nature-watch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">starting with GFW Pro</a>. But we continue to offer and support other tools, each built for a distinct purpose:</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-table" data-src="visualisation/30052244?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30052244/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="table visualization" /></noscript></div>



<p>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.</p>



<p>Join our mailing list to receive regular updates throughout this journey. If you have any questions, please contact us by <a href="https://globalnaturewatch.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new">submitting this form</a>.</p>



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<p>É com entusiasmo que anunciamos que&nbsp;<strong>o Global Forest&nbsp;Watch&nbsp;passa a se chamar&nbsp;Global&nbsp;Nature&nbsp;Watch.</strong>&nbsp;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p><strong>Nossa visão é ambiciosa:</strong> 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.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>Embora o nome esteja mudando, nosso compromisso permanece o mesmo</strong>:&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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



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



<p>Especificamente:  </p>



<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>



<p>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.   </p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



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Global Forest Watch passa a se chamar Global Nature Watch

<p>Nous avons le plaisir d’annoncer que <strong>Global Forest Watch <strong>est maintenant</strong> Global Nature Watch.</strong> </p>



<p>Ce nouveau nom reflète <a href="https://www.wri.org/news/release-global-forest-watch-becomes-global-nature-watch-expanding-cover-more-land-ecosystems" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">la prochaine évolution de notre travail</a> : faire progresser la surveillance des forêts tout en élargissant nos données, outils et analyses à un plus large éventail de milieux, tels que les terres herbeuses, les terres agricoles, les arbres hors des forêts, etc. En approfondissant notre compréhension de ces écosystèmes critiques, nous visons à créer une image plus complète des changements qui s'opèrent dans les mileux terrestres. </p>



<p>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&nbsp;<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&nbsp;basée sur l’IA&nbsp;et actuellement&nbsp;en version préliminaire.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Notre vision est ambitieuse</strong> : 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;</p>



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



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



<p><strong>Bien que notre nom change, notre engagement reste le même</strong> : 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.  </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><strong>Pour l’instant, rien ne change pour les utilisateurs, sauf le nom.</strong> Nos utilisateurs continueront d’avoir accès aux données, outils et flux de travail dont ils dépendent actuellement, maintenant que Global Forest Watch est devenu Global Nature Watch.</p>



<p>Plus précisément&nbsp;: &nbsp;</p>



<ul>
<li>Les zones d’intérêt enregistrées dans myGNW (auparavant myGNW) resteront disponibles.&nbsp;</li>



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



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



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



<p>À l'avenir, il est prévu qu'Horizon devienne la principale plateforme de surveillance de GNW, avec une transition progressive visant à garantir qu'elle puisse répondre aux besoins essentiels des utilisateurs en matière de surveillance. 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.</p>



<p>Vous pouvez explorer ce qui est en cours de développement sur <a href="https://www.globalnaturewatch.org/">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, où vos retours sont incroyablement précieux.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Où faut-il aller pour quoi ?</h2>



<p>Dans le cadre de cette évolution, Global Nature Watch va progressivement regrouper certains de ses outils au fil du temps, <a href="https://pro-news.globalforestwatch.org/news-events/gfw-pro-is-consolidating-into-global-nature-watch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">à commencer par GFW Pro</a>. Nous continuons toutefois à proposer et à assurer le support d'autres outils, chacun étant conçu pour un usage spécifique :</p>



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<p>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;</p>



<p><a href="https://globalnaturewatch.org/subscribe/">Abonnez-vous à notre liste</a> de diffusion pour recevoir des mises à jour régulières tout au long de cette aventure. Si vous avez des questions, veuillez nous contacter à <a href="mailto:gfw@wri.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gfw@wri.org</a>.</p>



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Global Forest Watch est maintenant Global Nature Watch

<p><em>Este blog se publicó originalmente el 1ro de julio de 2026 y continuara actualizándose a medida que tengamos nuevos detalles que compartir.  </em></p>



<p>Nos complace anunciar que <strong>Global Forest Watch se convierte en Global Nature Watch.</strong>&nbsp;</p>



<p>Este nuevo nombre refleja <a href="https://www.wri.org/news/release-global-forest-watch-becomes-global-nature-watch-expanding-cover-more-land-ecosystems" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">la siguiente evolución de nuestro trabajo</a>: seguir avanzando en el monitoreo de los bosques, mientras 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 ofrecer una visión  más completa de como están cambiando los paisajes cambiantes del planeta. </p>



<p>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 integrar 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 Global Nature Watch Horizon, el nuevo nombre de la innovadora plataforma de Global Nature Watch impulsada por inteligencia artificial, disponible en versión preliminar.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Nuestra visión es ambiciosa</strong>: 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 nivel de experiencia técnica.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>Aunque el nombre cambia, nuestro compromiso sigue siendo el mismo</strong>: 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 centrales a &nbsp; nuestra misión y son fundamentales para el futuro de Global Nature Watch. &nbsp;</p>



<p>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 las causas de los cambios en los bosques, 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.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Por el momento, nada cambia para los usuarios, excepto el nombre</strong>. 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.</p>



<p>Específicamente:  </p>



<ul>
<li>Las áreas de interés guardadas en myGNW 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>



<p>En el futuro, se prevé que Horizon se convierta en la principal plataforma de monitoreo de GNW, mediante una transición gradual que garantice que pueda responder a las principales necesidades de monitoreo de los usuarios. Con el tiempo, verá un nuevo diseño y una experiencia de usuario mejorada en GNW, que reflejaran la evolución continua de nuestras capacidades y cobertura. Puede explorar lo que estamos desarrollando en <a href="https://www.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, donde sus comentarios son muy importantes para nostros.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">¿Qué herramienta usar para cada necesidad?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Como parte de esta evolución, Global Nature Watch irá consolidando gradualmente algunas de nuestras herramientas, empezando por GFW Pro. Sin embargo, seguiremos ofreciendo y dando soporte a otras herramientas, cada una creada con un propósito especifico.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>Agradecemos profundamente a nuestra comunidad, que ha contribuido a dar forma a este trabajo durante la última década, y esperamos seguir construyendo juntos el futuro de Global Nature Watch. Nuestra comunidad de usuarios continuará desempeñando un papel fundamental a medida que evolucionen las nuevas capacidades y herramientas. Esperamos poder compartir proximamente mas novedades sobre lo que viene para Global Nature Watch. </p>



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



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Global Forest Watch se convierte en Global Nature Watch

<p><em>Blog ini awalnya dipublikasikan pada 1 Juli 2026, dan akan terus diperbarui jika terdapat informasi baru.</em>&nbsp;</p>



<p>Dengan penuh semangat, kami mengumumkan bahwa <strong>Global Forest Watch kini adalah Global Nature Watch.</strong>&nbsp;</p>



<p>Nama baru ini <a href="https://www.wri.org/news/release-global-forest-watch-becomes-global-nature-watch-expanding-cover-more-land-ecosystems" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mencerminkan evolusi selanjutnya dari pekerjaan kami</a>: 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. </p>



<p>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://www.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.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Visi kami sangat ambisius:</strong> 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.</p>



<p>Global Forest Watch adalah alasan kami hadir hari ini. Global Nature Watch adalah jalan kami ke depan.</p>



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



<p><strong><strong>Meskipun nama kami berubah, komitmen kami tetap sama</strong>:</strong> 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>Secara spesifik:  </p>



<ul>
<li>Area minat yang tersimpan di myGNW (sebelumnya 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>



<p>Selanjutnya, Horizon direncanakan akan menjadi bagian utama dari platform pemantauan GNW, dengan transisi dalam beberapa fase untuk memastikan fitur ini sesuai dengan kebutuhan pemantauan utama para pengguna. Seiring waktu, Anda akan melihat tampilan baru dan pengalaman pengguna yang lebih baik pada GNW yang mencerminkan evolusi berkelanjutan dari kemampuan dan cakupan kami.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Anda dapat menjelajahi apa yang sedang dikembangkan di <a href="https://www.globalnaturewatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Nature Watch Horizon</a>, di mana masukan Anda sangat penting.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Di mana saya bisa menemukan apa? </h2>



<p>Sebagai bagian dari evolusi ini, Global Nature Watch akan memperkuat beberapa alat kami secara berkala — <a href="https://pro-news.globalforestwatch.org/news-events/gfw-pro-is-consolidating-into-global-nature-watch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dimulai dengan GFW Pro</a>. Namun, kami akan terus menawarkan dan mendukung alat lainnya, masing-masing dikembangkan untuk tujuan yang berbeda:&nbsp;</p>



<div class="flourish-embed flourish-table" data-src="visualisation/30492670?163031"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/30492670/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="table visualization" /></noscript></div>



<p>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.</p>



<p><a href="https://globalnaturewatch.org/subscribe/">Bergabunglah dengan mailing list</a> 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>.</p>



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Global Forest Watch Sekarang Adalah Global Nature Watch 

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

deforestation

deforestation | Global Forest Watch Blog

Deforestation Alerts

Deforestation Alerts | Global Forest Watch Blog

Kaitlyn Thayer

Anika Berger

<p>Advances in forest monitoring data have led to an abundance of information on when and where forests are being cleared, including a proliferation of alert systems that detect loss and disturbance in near-real-time.</p>



<p>These systems generate millions of deforestation and disturbance alerts every day. While this provides valuable information, not all alerts are priority deforestation events — meaning not all alerts require further investigation or action. Additionally, the sheer volume of alerts makes it difficult and time-consuming to identify which ones are the most concerning and where further investigation should be prioritized.</p>



<p><em>Places to Watch</em> cuts through the noise with a method that helps identify which alerts correspond to globally important forest areas under threat. It filters millions of alerts based on <a href="https://www.wri.org/research/places-watch-identifying-high-priority-forest-disturbance-near-real-time-satellite-data" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specific criteria</a>, making it easier to see some of the most concerning instances of recent clearing.</p>



<p>These places are shared directly with interested media, journalism and advocacy groups to help them identify where to investigate, raise public awareness about areas of concern, and apply pressure on those responsible, ultimately helping to prevent further harm to forests and the people who depend on them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How are <em>Places to Watch</em> identified?</h2>



<p><em>Places to Watch </em>— available on the Global Nature Watch (formerly Global Forest Watch) map — was originally developed in 2017 to flag hotspots of the most concerning alerts, including potential illegal deforestation, within the most critical forests around the globe.</p>



<p>To identify these hotspots, <em>Places to Watch </em>uses an automated system to filter millions of alerts from recent months to determine those within high value areas of either primary tropical forests or intact forest landscapes that overlap protected areas, while filtering out any alerts within plantations or areas of prior tree cover loss.* It then identifies 5×5 kilometer areas with the largest number of alerts in each region. Our team then manually uses contextual data — like fire alerts, Indigenous People and Community Lands, and Key Biodiversity Areas — and satellite imagery to identify the drivers of the alerts and provide additional context, filtering out any locations that don’t have clear disturbances or where disturbances are likely from natural causes. From this larger pool of potential locations, we identify 5-10 priority locations on a quarterly basis by considering factors such as geographic diversity, ecological risks, prior reporting coverage and available supporting evidence, and compile these locations for sharing.</p>



<p>To learn more about the <em>Places to Watch</em> methodology, read our <a href="https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2026-04/places-to-watch-identifying-high-priority-forest-disturbance-from-near-real-time-satellite-data.pdf?VersionId=iSk7QKs5sJ9Ju494reHAwlQfzLnlwO1Q&_gl=1*mt3s65*_gcl_au*ODk3MjY5NjI2LjE3NzY1MzU1OTMuMjc5NzI1MTE1LjE3Nzg2MDE5NzMuMTc3ODYwMTk3Mg.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">technical note</a>.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">The <em>Places to Watch</em> Process</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="905" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PTW-Flowchart_Aug13b-2048x905.png" alt="" class="wp-image-20520" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PTW-Flowchart_Aug13b-2048x905.png 2048w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PTW-Flowchart_Aug13b-1024x452.png 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PTW-Flowchart_Aug13b-768x339.png 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PTW-Flowchart_Aug13b-1536x679.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Actionable leads to prompt deeper investigation</h2>



<p>Once these <em>Places to Watch</em> locations have been identified and evaluated, the Global Nature Watch team shares them with interested journalists, activists and investigators. Sharing directly reduces barriers to access for any individuals with less technical experience and provides timely, actionable leads they can use to prioritize time, funding and resources for investigation, with the goal of raising visibility around emerging forest threats worldwide.</p>



<p><strong>Locations are shared as <em>potential </em>areas of concern. As with most geospatial data, on-the-ground investigation or additional field intelligence is required to fully validate what’s happening in each location.</strong> This is precisely the value of <em>Places to Watch</em>: these locations are intended as investigative leads — or “tips” — for journalists, who can conduct further research and gather information that supports the identification of concerning forest loss where action may be required.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Real-world impacts</h2>



<p><em>Places to Watch</em> has proven to be a useful starting point for investigative journalists reporting on the locations, causes and context of deforestation across the globe.</p>



<p>Through a <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/places-to-watch-curating-data-driven-stories-for-action/">previous partnership</a>** with Global Nature Watch (at the time Global Forest Watch), investigative journalism network Mongabay has used <em>Places to Watch</em> locations to inspire many deeper on-the-ground investigations.</p>



<p>For example, in 2023, Mongabay investigated a new clearing identified by <em>Places to Watch</em> within the <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2023/07/cambodian-conglomerate-sparks-conflict-in-botum-sakor-national-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Botum Sakor National Park in Cambodia</a>, where 30% of its area of primary tropical forest had already been lost between 2002 and 2023. Mongabay journalists discovered that the new clearing was led by politically connected business tycoons and reported that the land was being carved up at the expense of the ecosystem and local communities. Mongabay published an <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2024/10/cambodias-once-massive-national-park-continues-to-lose-its-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">update on this investigation</a> in 2024.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1429" height="953" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Picture1.jpg" alt="Excavators gouge a muddy hole into the soil of Botum Sakor National Park where forest once stood. Royal Group’s new SEZ [special economic zone] will consume one of the last pockets of forest in the national park." class="wp-image-20511" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Picture1.jpg 1429w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Picture1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Picture1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1429px) 100vw, 1429px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Excavators gouge a muddy hole into the soil of Botum Sakor National Park where forest once stood. Royal Group’s new SEZ [special economic zone] will consume one of the last pockets of forest in the national park. Photo by Gerald Flynn/Mongabay.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Satellite information combined with deeper investigation also exposes the human realities behind the data. In another example in 2024, <em>Places to Watch</em> <a href="https://gfw.global/Wv38Q9">detected a surge in deforestation alerts</a> across protected areas in central Colombia — including Llanos del Yarí Yaguara II Indigenous Reserve, Tinigua National Natural Park, and Sierra de la Macarena National Natural Park — after a brief decline in deforestation rates in 2023. Tipped by the surge in alerts, <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2024/05/narco-activity-takes-heavy-toll-on-colombias-protected-forests-satellite-data-show/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mongabay’s investigation</a> found that armed groups emboldened and funded by the drug industry had increased their control in these protected areas, and the surge in clearings were linked to agricultural expansion, cultivation of illegal crops like coca and marijuana, and illegal gold mining. The investigation shed light on the monitoring agencies and local residents in the area who feared reprisal if they spoke out against harmful activity, demonstrating how journalism can give a voice to people on the frontlines of deforestation.</p>



<p>These examples and <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/series/forest-trackers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">numerous others</a> show how <em>Places to Watch</em> surfaced a strong lead for investigative journalism and helped journalists prioritize where they invested their time and resources. This helped drive investigations and made information publicly available that could be used to inform actions by policy makers and other interventions, such as law enforcement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Subscribe to Receive <em>Places to Watch</em></h2>



<p>You can explore <em>Places to Watch</em> locations on the <a href="https://gfw.global/XOQASL">Global Nature Watch map</a>. The Global Nature Watch team also shares <em>Places to Watch</em> locations with a network of journalists, media and advocacy partners.</p>



<p><strong>If you are interested in receiving regular reports of these locations, please </strong><a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/subscribe/"><strong>subscribe to our newsletter</strong></a><strong> and select “Places to Watch” under interests.</strong></p>



<p>By subscribing, recipients understand that <em>Places to Watch</em> locations should be interpreted as early indicators of potentially concerning forest disturbances that warrant further investigation. These locations are identified through an automated system based on satellite data. There may be errors in the underlying data and locations always require on-the-ground investigation or additional field intelligence to validate the nature of the disturbance.</p>



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



<small><em>* Our method assumes that intact forest landscapes, primary forests and protected areas adequately represent areas that are most important to our users. Although protected forests are associated with high biodiversity and carbon value, they are not the only measures of conservation value and thus Places to Watch will miss other important sites of forest loss.
<br><br>
** Mongabay’s partnership and investigation of Places to Watch was supported by a Global Nature Watch (at the time Global Forest Watch) grant between 2018-2025.</small></em>



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Places to Watch: A Starting Point for Investigating Deforestation 

<p>Advances in forest monitoring data have led to an abundance of information on when and where forests are being cleared, including a proliferation of alert systems that detect loss and disturbance in near-real-time.</p>



<p>These systems generate millions of deforestation and disturbance alerts every day. While this provides valuable information, not all alerts are priority deforestation events — meaning not all alerts require further investigation or action. Additionally, the sheer volume of alerts makes it difficult and time-consuming to identify which ones are the most concerning and where further investigation should be prioritized.</p>



<p><em>Places to Watch</em> cuts through the noise with a method that helps identify which alerts correspond to globally important forest areas under threat. It filters millions of alerts based on <a href="https://www.wri.org/research/places-watch-identifying-high-priority-forest-disturbance-near-real-time-satellite-data" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specific criteria</a>, making it easier to see some of the most concerning instances of recent clearing.</p>



<p>These places are shared directly with interested media, journalism and advocacy groups to help them identify where to investigate, raise public awareness about areas of concern, and apply pressure on those responsible, ultimately helping to prevent further harm to forests and the people who depend on them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How are <em>Places to Watch</em> identified?</h2>



<p><em>Places to Watch </em>— available on the Global Nature Watch (formerly Global Forest Watch) map — was originally developed in 2017 to flag hotspots of the most concerning alerts, including potential illegal deforestation, within the most critical forests around the globe.</p>



<p>To identify these hotspots, <em>Places to Watch </em>uses an automated system to filter millions of alerts from recent months to determine those within high value areas of either primary tropical forests or intact forest landscapes that overlap protected areas, while filtering out any alerts within plantations or areas of prior tree cover loss.* It then identifies 5x5 kilometer areas with the largest number of alerts in each region. Our team then manually uses contextual data — like fire alerts, Indigenous People and Community Lands, and Key Biodiversity Areas — and satellite imagery to identify the drivers of the alerts and provide additional context, filtering out any locations that don’t have clear disturbances or where disturbances are likely from natural causes. From this larger pool of potential locations, we identify 5-10 priority locations on a quarterly basis by considering factors such as geographic diversity, ecological risks, prior reporting coverage and available supporting evidence, and compile these locations for sharing.</p>



<p>To learn more about the <em>Places to Watch</em> methodology, read our <a href="https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2026-04/places-to-watch-identifying-high-priority-forest-disturbance-from-near-real-time-satellite-data.pdf?VersionId=iSk7QKs5sJ9Ju494reHAwlQfzLnlwO1Q&amp;_gl=1*mt3s65*_gcl_au*ODk3MjY5NjI2LjE3NzY1MzU1OTMuMjc5NzI1MTE1LjE3Nzg2MDE5NzMuMTc3ODYwMTk3Mg.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">technical note</a>.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">The <em>Places to Watch</em> Process</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PTW-Flowchart_Aug13b-2048x905.png" alt="" class="wp-image-20520"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Actionable leads to prompt deeper investigation</h2>



<p>Once these <em>Places to Watch</em> locations have been identified and evaluated, the Global Nature Watch team shares them with interested journalists, activists and investigators. Sharing directly reduces barriers to access for any individuals with less technical experience and provides timely, actionable leads they can use to prioritize time, funding and resources for investigation, with the goal of raising visibility around emerging forest threats worldwide.</p>



<p><strong>Locations are shared as <em>potential </em>areas of concern. As with most geospatial data, on-the-ground investigation or additional field intelligence is required to fully validate what’s happening in each location.</strong> This is precisely the value of <em>Places to Watch</em>: these locations are intended as investigative leads — or “tips” — for journalists, who can conduct further research and gather information that supports the identification of concerning forest loss where action may be required.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Real-world impacts</h2>



<p><em>Places to Watch</em> has proven to be a useful starting point for investigative journalists reporting on the locations, causes and context of deforestation across the globe.</p>



<p>Through a <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-tools/places-to-watch-curating-data-driven-stories-for-action/">previous partnership</a>** with Global Nature Watch (at the time Global Forest Watch), investigative journalism network Mongabay has used <em>Places to Watch</em> locations to inspire many deeper on-the-ground investigations.</p>



<p>For example, in 2023, Mongabay investigated a new clearing identified by <em>Places to Watch</em> within the <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2023/07/cambodian-conglomerate-sparks-conflict-in-botum-sakor-national-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Botum Sakor National Park in Cambodia</a>, where 30% of its area of primary tropical forest had already been lost between 2002 and 2023. Mongabay journalists discovered that the new clearing was led by politically connected business tycoons and reported that the land was being carved up at the expense of the ecosystem and local communities. Mongabay published an <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2024/10/cambodias-once-massive-national-park-continues-to-lose-its-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">update on this investigation</a> in 2024.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Picture1.jpg" alt="Excavators gouge a muddy hole into the soil of Botum Sakor National Park where forest once stood. Royal Group’s new SEZ [special economic zone] will consume one of the last pockets of forest in the national park." class="wp-image-20511"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Excavators gouge a muddy hole into the soil of Botum Sakor National Park where forest once stood. Royal Group’s new SEZ [special economic zone] will consume one of the last pockets of forest in the national park. Photo by Gerald Flynn/Mongabay.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Satellite information combined with deeper investigation also exposes the human realities behind the data. In another example in 2024, <em>Places to Watch</em> <a href="https://gfw.global/Wv38Q9">detected a surge in deforestation alerts</a> across protected areas in central Colombia — including Llanos del Yarí Yaguara II Indigenous Reserve, Tinigua National Natural Park, and Sierra de la Macarena National Natural Park — after a brief decline in deforestation rates in 2023. Tipped by the surge in alerts, <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2024/05/narco-activity-takes-heavy-toll-on-colombias-protected-forests-satellite-data-show/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mongabay’s investigation</a> found that armed groups emboldened and funded by the drug industry had increased their control in these protected areas, and the surge in clearings were linked to agricultural expansion, cultivation of illegal crops like coca and marijuana, and illegal gold mining. The investigation shed light on the monitoring agencies and local residents in the area who feared reprisal if they spoke out against harmful activity, demonstrating how journalism can give a voice to people on the frontlines of deforestation.</p>



<p>These examples and <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/series/forest-trackers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">numerous others</a> show how <em>Places to Watch</em> surfaced a strong lead for investigative journalism and helped journalists prioritize where they invested their time and resources. This helped drive investigations and made information publicly available that could be used to inform actions by policy makers and other interventions, such as law enforcement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Subscribe to Receive <em>Places to Watch</em></h2>



<p>You can explore <em>Places to Watch</em> locations on the <a href="https://gfw.global/XOQASL">Global Nature Watch map</a>. The Global Nature Watch team also shares <em>Places to Watch</em> locations with a network of journalists, media and advocacy partners.</p>



<p><strong>If you are interested in receiving regular reports of these locations, please </strong><a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/subscribe/"><strong>subscribe to our newsletter</strong></a><strong> and select “Places to Watch” under interests.</strong></p>



<p>By subscribing, recipients understand that <em>Places to Watch</em> locations should be interpreted as early indicators of potentially concerning forest disturbances that warrant further investigation. These locations are identified through an automated system based on satellite data. There may be errors in the underlying data and locations always require on-the-ground investigation or additional field intelligence to validate the nature of the disturbance.</p>



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



<small><em>* Our method assumes that intact forest landscapes, primary forests and protected areas adequately represent areas that are most important to our users. Although protected forests are associated with high biodiversity and carbon value, they are not the only measures of conservation value and thus Places to Watch will miss other important sites of forest loss.
<br><br>
** Mongabay’s partnership and investigation of Places to Watch was supported by a Global Nature Watch (at the time Global Forest Watch) grant between 2018-2025.</small></em>



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Places to Watch helps identify some of the most concerning instances of clearing, supporting further deforestation investigations.

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Brazil | Global Forest Watch Blog

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