Tree Cover Loss in the Mediterranean Region—An Increasingly Serious Environmental Issue

Ana-Maria Ciobotaru,Nilanchal Patel,Radu-Daniel Pintilii

doi:10.3390/f12101341

Ana-Maria Ciobotaru, Nilanchal Patel + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/f12101341

Copy DOI

Abstract

The Mediterranean Region currently faces major environmental issues that require constant analysis and monitoring. This study presents a thorough approach based on the application of Landsat imagery from Global Forest Change during 2001–2019. Spatial distribution mapping was one of the objectives of the study. We approached the analysis of tree cover loss areas by analyzing the cumulative tree cover loss and Tree Cover Loss Rate. This indicator offers information about the trend of tree cover loss in each Mediterranean country. A total of 581 Mha of deforested area was mapped during the analyzed period. Analysis was further supplemented by some statistical operations (distributions shown via histograms, validation via Shapiro–Wilk normality test, and testing via one-sample t-test). Agricultural expansion, intense forest fires, illegal logging, overgrazing (especially in the northern part of Africa), and extensive livestock farming have influenced the Mediterranean forest ecosystem’s stability. The continuation of these activities could cause extreme climatic events, severe degradation, and desertification.

Highlights

The effects of tree cover loss and forest degradation are critical environmental problems [1]
With the results presented in this paper, we aim to develop a better understanding of the impact of tree cover loss on the environment in the Mediterranean Region
The current study presents a tree cover loss mapping and evaluation of the TCLR for the period 2001–2019 in the context

Summary

Introduction

The effects of tree cover loss and forest degradation are critical environmental problems [1]. Forest ecosystems are a critical component of the world’s biodiversity, characterized more by diversity and unicity than other ecosystems of the world [6,7]. 31% of the global land area, 4.06 billion hectares are natural forests or plantations, and approximately 15% are compact forest areas [8]. FAO estimated that, in 2015, across all Mediterranean countries, there were 88 million hectares of forest [9]. These forests represent biodiversity hotspots with around 60%

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion