---
description: >-
  It helps to detect changes in forest cover (i.e., to track deforestation),
  fires, land use, and more. It also includes Global Fire Watch (VIRSS data)
---

# Global Forest Watch

## URL

https://www.globalforestwatch.org/

## Description

**Features**\
Forest Change: rates of forest change, forest extent, and drivers of deforestation.\
Fires: Rates and location of fires.\
Land use: Commodities, conservation, infrastructure, concessions, and people.\
Land cover: tree cover, forest landscape and integrity, and others.\
Biodiversity: Global biodiversity intactness, key biodiversity areas, amongst others.\
Climate: Carbon flux, carbon density, and potential carbon gains.

**Benefits**\
-The data can be exported.\
-Interactive and easy visualization.\
-Tutorials on using the features are available through the website and are accessible.

## Cost

* [x] Free
* [ ] Partially Free
* [ ] Paid

## Level of difficulty

<table><thead><tr><th data-type="rating" data-max="5"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Requirements

There are no requirements to use this tool, and no e-mail address is requested.\
**Using with no account:** Explore features such as deforestation, fires, land cover, land use, biodiversity, and weather data from 2001 on (in most of the regions).\
\
However, researchers who want to optimize their research can create an account, sign up for alerts in an area of interest, analyze data, and receive email notifications when new alerts are available.\
**To create an account:** After providing an email, you can use generic information on contact and affiliation.

## Limitations

Like all data from satellite imagery, we can not say that the data is 100% accurate.

## Ethical Considerations

There are minimal ethical considerations, as it is configured with a combination of sources (below). Still, consider the limitations when using the data to take action.\
\
Sources used by Global Forest Watch\
World Topographic Map: © Mapbox, © OpenStreetMap, USGS, Landsat, Natural Earth and Open Addresses\
Dark Matter: Carto\
Satellite: Google Satellite\
Landsat: Landsat OLI, USGS Earth Observation and Science Center, and Google Earth Engine\
Labels: © Mapbox, © OpenStreetMap\
Streets: © Mapbox, © OpenStreetMap\
Political Boundaries: © Mapbox, © OpenStreetMap\
Terrestrial Ecoregions: RESOLVE, 2017\
River Basins: © Mapbox, © OpenStreetMap\
Planet Mosaics: © Planet Labs Inc. Mosaics can also be downloaded from https://www.planet.com/nicfi/.

## Guide

Step-by-step guide: https://www.globalforestwatch.org/help/map/guides/

## Tool provider

The World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research non-profit organization established in 1982, established Global Forest Watch in 1997. With offices worldwide, WRI utilizes research-based methodologies to address critical needs in specific target regions. WRI efforts aim to fulfill essential human necessities, conserve and rehabilitate natural environments, mitigate climate instability, and foster the development of adaptable communities.

## Advertising Trackers

* [ ] This tool has not been checked for advertising trackers yet.
* [x] This tool uses tracking cookies. Use with caution.
* [ ] This tool does not appear to use tracking cookies.

| Page maintainer                |
| ------------------------------ |
| BL - Bellingcat Volunteer Team |
|                                |
