More than 7% of all mountain forests have been destroyed during the past two decades, according to a new study published in the journal One Earth. Using high-resolution satellite data and maps of mountain terrains, researchers found that 780,000 square kilometers (301,000 square miles) of mountain forest were lost worldwide between 2001 and 2018. The study notes an “alarming acceleration in mountain forest lost worldwide over the past two decades,” with rates of forest loss nearly doubling after 2010.
The study’s findings are a significant concern for biodiversity, as more than 85% of all bird, mammal and amphibian species live all or part of their lives in mountain forests. Many species have a limited range, making them highly susceptible to extinction even with minimal forest loss.
“Mountains have exceptionally high levels of biodiversity, and many of these species are dependent on forests for their survival … The high levels of forest loss we observed in mountains could be catastrophic for these sensitive mountain species.”
