Alarming primary forest loss worldwide, Brazil tops the list.

Alarming primary forest loss worldwide, Brazil tops the list.

The world's primary forests, Earth's most precious and biodiverse ecosystems, are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to data from the World Resources Institute's Global Forest Review, several countries experienced massive losses of primary forest area in 2022.

Leading the pack is Brazil, which lost a staggering 1,773 hectares of humid primary forest last year. The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the planet," is facing immense pressure from deforestation driven by agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and mining activities.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo follows closely, with 513,hectares of primary forest lost in 2022. This Central African nation harbors a significant portion of the Congo Basin, the world's second-largest rainforest after the Amazon.

Other countries with substantial primary forest losses include Bolivia (386,hectares), Indonesia (230, hectares), Peru (161, hectares), Colombia (128hectares), Laos (93, hectares), and Cameroon (76, hectares).

Primary forests are crucial for regulating the global climate, preserving biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of indigenous communities. Their destruction not only exacerbates climate change by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere but also threatens the survival of countless plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth.

Urgent action is needed to address the drivers of deforestation and promote sustainable forest management practices. Governments, corporations, and individuals must work together to protect these invaluable natural treasures for the benefit of present and future generations.

The List 

1. Brazil lost 1,773 thousand hectares of humid primary forest in 2022.
2. The Democratic Republic of Congo lost 513 thousand hectares of primary forest in 2022.
3. Bolivia lost 386 thousand hectares of primary forest in 2022.
4. Indonesia lost 230 thousand hectares of primary forest in 2022, with a note that much of this loss is within areas classified as secondary forest and other land cover by Indonesia.
5. Peru lost 161 thousand hectares of primary forest in 2022.
6. Colombia lost 128 thousand hectares of primary forest in 2022.
7. Laos lost 93 thousand hectares of primary forest in 2022.
8. Cameroon lost 76 thousand hectares of primary forest in 2022.

Source: World Resources Institute's Global Forest Review