Forests are being increasingly cut down on steeper slopes, which have a high forest carbon density relative to the lowlands
Deforestation in the mountains of southeast Asia has accelerated in the last 10 years, leading to an increase in carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
Forests are being cut down on steeper slopes — which have a high forest carbon density relative to the lowlands — to make way for agricultural intensification, according to researchers at University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China and Leeds academics.
The study was published in journal Nature Sustainability June 28, 2021.
Southeast Asia contains about half of all tropical mountain forests, which contain a large amount of the planet’s carbon.
According to co-author Dominick Spracklen:
“In the past, mountain forests were often spared from clearance because steep slopes and high elevations made deforestation more difficult. Our work shows that deforestation has now moved into these mountain regions and has accelerated rapidly in the past 10 years.”
He warned that the practice will accelerate climate crisis. The deforestation in the mountains of southeast Asia accounts for a third of the total forest loss in the region, the study said.
The study stated that the average altitude of forest loss increased by 150 metres in the last decade. The shifts have resulted in unprecedented annual forest carbon loss of 424 million metric tonnes of carbon a year.
The researchers analysed high-resolution satellite data and found that average annual forest loss in the region was 3.22 million hectares a year during 2001-2019. As much as 31 per cent of the loss happened on mountains.
Co-author Joseph Holden from Leeds’ School of Geography said flagged the loss of forests as a major concern: “This research shows the value of high resolution satellite data for detecting change, and also highlights that the international community needs to continue to work hard to support forest conservation and carbon management.”
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderatorтАЩs approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the тАШLettersтАЩ section of the Down To Earth print edition.