New 10-meter resolution global map distinguishes natural, planted, and farmed forests

New Global Forest Typology Map Released

Google DeepMind and Google Research, in collaboration with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), have launched Forest Typology (ForTy) 2020. This new global map classifies every 10-by-10-meter patch of land into one of six distinct forest and land-use types.

Tracking Forest Changes Over Time

Alongside the ForTy 2020 map, an early time series is available, detailing annual forest changes from 2017 to 2025. This data shows not only where forest cover was lost but also what replaced it, such as timber plantations, tree-crop farms, or other land uses. This level of detail allows users to track conversions of natural forests into agricultural or planted areas.

Addressing Limitations of Previous Mapping

Traditional global maps primarily indicate the presence of trees, which is insufficient for effective forest protection and regulatory compliance. ForTy 2020 addresses this by differentiating between natural forests, planted forests, and farmed areas. This distinction is critical because different forest types hold varying amounts of carbon and biodiversity.

Implications for Conservation and Regulation

The detailed categorization provided by ForTy 2020 is a baseline for regulations such as the European Union's deforestation-free products (EUDR). This regulation requires products like coffee, cocoa, or palm oil to not originate from land converted from forest to agriculture after 2020. Similarly, wood products must be free of forest degradation, meaning they cannot come from primary forests converted into plantations. The new map provides the necessary data for companies and regulators to determine forest type and track changes.