Amazon rainforest conservation challenge: Bolivia and Brazil lead in forest loss, 20-year study shows

Preserving the Amazon rainforest remains a significant challenge for all countries that share it.

However, according to the latest 20-year data from Global Forest Watch, Bolivia and Brazil are leading in forest loss, with 9.06% and 8.46% respectively.

“Forest loss” refers to removing or dying tree cover, not necessarily from deforestation.

This loss can stem from various factors, including legal and illegal fires, natural phenomena, etc.

Jefferson Ferreira-Ferreira, data science coordinator at the World Resources Institute Brazil (WRI Brazil), affirms that these two countries have the highest forest loss rates.

WRI Brazil utilizes satellite images to map annual tree cover loss.

Bolivia’s loss increased by 32% last year, second only to Ecuador among South American countries, with a rate of 68.49%.

On the other hand, French Guiana, a French territory in South America, has the best preservation record, losing only 0.72% of the biome in the last 20 years.

However, forest loss in French Guiana is accelerating, with a rise of 68.45% from 2021 to 2022, the second-worst in the region, trailing Ecuador.

Brazil stands out despite not leading in percentage loss due to its total area lost.

The average loss from 2002 to 2022 is 1.3 million hectares per year, with 2022 recording a loss of 1.69 million hectares, the worst since 2017.

Data transparency about forest conservation is essential, with some nations performing better than others.

Jefferson notes that the El Niño years cause higher forest loss due to drier climate and increased fire susceptibility.

Moreover, the international price of meat and other commodities, along with the dollar exchange rate, also influence forest loss.

For the full picture, see our Brazil Tax Reform: Complete Guide.