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

Experts from the NGO ForestCom continue to carry out satellite monitoring of changes in forest cover in order to identify signs of the legality of felling, and therefore an appropriate response to felling.

Throughout the second quarter of 2024, experts from the NGO ForestCom continued monitoring changes in forest cover in the Carpathian region and identified 695 areas where changes occurred during the spring and summer period of 2024. This includes:

• 132  areas in the Lviv region (from May 17, 2024, to June 21, 2024),
• 72 areas in the Ivano-Frankivsk region (from May 17, 2024, to June 21, 2024),
• 52 areas in the Chernivtsi region (from May 17, 2024, to June 21, 2024),
• 439 areas in the Transcarpathian region (from September 10, 2023, to June 21, 2024)

A map displaying these areas can be accessed at: https://forestcom.org.ua/mapforest/karta_2k_2024/index.html  

Figure 1: Territory of the Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi and Transcarpathian 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), areas were selected where logging permits were missing or it was impossible to determine the forest user. These areas are marked in red on the map.

The next stage of the work is the selection of areas for field inspections. The results of these inspections are shared with the public and law enforcement agencies if violations of the law are detected. Alternatively, the forest users themselves are informed of the identified 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 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