Cambodia: Cumulative Loss in Tree Cover 2000-2006
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Note: This case study is part of a WRI series on
tree cover change across the globe. The
first poster (1.2 Mb), titled
Painting the Global Picture of Tree Cover Change: Tree Cover Loss in the Humid Tropics, depicts tropical hot spots in
Brazil,
Cambodia,
Central Africa, and
Indonesia.
Hotspots of forest change appear in red in the inset map at right. Protected areas are outlined in purple. Below, high-resolution
Landsat images show forests being logged and then cleared for agriculture.
Images
Rapid Forest Loss Across the Thailand-Cambodia Border
By Stephen Adam
In 1990, the border region between Thailand and Cambodia was densely forested, but between 2001 and 2005, tree cover change analysis reveals extensive deforestation on the Cambodian side.
The problem of deforestation along the border between these two countries dates back to at least the early 1990s. After severe flooding linked to deforestation in Thailand, the Thai government banned all timber harvesting in 1989. As a result,
timber imports from neighboring countries like Cambodia increased, along with allegations of illegal logging inside Cambodia.
Despite attempts to halt the logging in the 1990s, and a 2002 moratorium issued by Cambodia,
deforestation has continued.
The Cambodian government is working with a number of independent organizations to address problems of illegal logging.
Large-scale deforestation continues to encroach into national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and protected areas. Continuing loss of forests stresses the need for improved monitoring and forest governance.
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Landsat images show forests being logged and then cleared for agriculture in Cambodia. The effect of the sheer number of these small-scale conversions is visible in 2005. Black stripes in recent satellite images are data gaps caused by a satellite sensor malfunction.
