Changes in the forest cover of the Carpathian region in October

Experts of the NGO ForestCom continue to monitor satellite changes in forest cover to identify signs of the legality of forest cutting, therefore giving an appropriate response to illegal logging.

Throughout October 2024, experts of the NGO ForestCom continued monitoring changes in forest cover in the Carpathian region. They identified 113 areas where changes occurred during the autumn of 2024 on the territory of Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions. This includes: 

• 67 areas in the Ivano-Frankivsk region (from August 25, 2024, to October 24, 2024), 
• 46 areas in the Chernivtsi region (from May 17, 2024, to June 21, 2024) 

A map displaying these areas is available at: https://forestcom.org.ua/mapforest/karta_october_2024/index.html 

Figure 1: Territory of the Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions with forest cover. The red marks indicate areas where changes in forest cover were identified.

The monitoring is conducted using a semi-automated system which compares satellite images from two consecutive years and analyzes the results using the online database of the State Enterprise "Forestry Innovation and Analytical Center" (LIATs).

Based on the subsequent sub-area analysis (according to information from LIATs),  experts selected areas where logging permits were missing, or it was impossible to determine the forest user. 

The next work stage is the selection of areas for field inspections. The results of these inspections are shared with the public and law enforcement agencies if law violations are detected. Alternatively, the forest users are informed of the issues related to improving forest management practices.

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The forest monitoring is carried out within the project "Combating Illegal Logging in Ukraine" with the support of the International Programs Department of the U.S. Forest Service.

Check out the previous publications of quarterly reports:

ForestCom's Remote Forest Monitoring Ongoing Efforts in the Carpathian Region

ForestCom detected forest cover changes on 695 forest sites in the Carpathian

ForestCom detected forest cover changes on 306 forest sites in the Carpathian

ForestCom detected forest cover changes on 437 forest sites in the Carpathian

ForestCom's Remote Forest Monitoring Ongoing Efforts in the Carpathian Region

Changes in forest cover were identified on 389 plots in the Carpathian region

ForestCom detected forest cover changes on 295 forest sites in the Lviv region