UMD Satellite Data: Primary Source to Monitor Deforestation

SATELLITE DATA ANALYZED by the Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD) laboratory in the Department of Geographical Sciences has revealed insights into ongoing primary forest loss in Brazil, Indonesia and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

According to GLAD satellite data, Brazil tops the list for most primary forest loss, having lost 45% of its total tree cover loss between 2001 and 2021. Indonesia lost 35% of its total tree cover loss during the same period. DRC showed an 11% decrease in tree cover since 2000.

The GLAD findings, featured in The Economist, highlight the need for urgent action to curb deforestation and protect the world’s major rainforests. The rainforests in Brazil, Indonesia and DRC are giant absorbers of carbon dioxide, making them crucial players in the fight against climate change.

Since 2000, GLAD has monitored global forest extent and change as a part of the Global Forest Watch initiative in collaboration with

Outreach Initiative Recognizes Science-Minded High School Superstars

THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCES hosted its second Recognition Banquet for Exceptional Geographical Sciences High School Students in April at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union. The event celebrated the achievements of more than 50 high school students whose teachers nominated them for their outstanding academic and/or extracurricular achievement in geographical sciences or related disciplines.

“I feel great and surprised that I am even capable,” said Cristian Romero, a freshman at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School who is interested in climate change and disease outbreaks. He earned a scholarship to attend his school and hopes to support his family in the future.

During the evening’s program, the students also learned about innovative ways modern geographers apply their skills, as alumna such as Camille Hoffman Delett shared insights.

the World Resources Institute. Global Forest Watch is an online platform that provides data and tools for monitoring forests.

“The GLAD lab seeks to make timely and accurate maps of our changing planet that can inform how we may balance the maintenance of natural systems with economic development,” said Professor Matthew Hansen, GLAD’s co-director. “To date, nature is losing and the outcomes in the form of climate change, habitat loss and other impacts threaten the entire Earth system and our place in it.” •

The event was created by Professor George Hurtt, who was inspired by a similar initiative that his son participated in from the math department at Brigham Young University. •

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Read the full story at go.umd.edu/geoghighschool