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The global rate of forest loss has slowed to nine million hectares per year, according to the latest global forest assessment by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Rome based agency has carried out global forest assessments for 50 years. Its latest study shows a rate of forest loss 20 per cent lower than the last global figure reported in 1995. Forests are disappearing most rapidly in Africa and Latin America while in Asia, the reduction of natural forests is largely compensated by new plantation forests. In Europe and North America the forest area is increasing, the survey shows. Overall, the world contains around 6,000 square meters of forest per person. The figure is falling by 12 square meters every year. The survey's findings show some countries still have high levels of deforestation, mainly because of conversion of forests to other land uses. But other countries show significant increases in forest cover through plantations or natural regrowth. "These differences cannot be explained by population pressure on forests alone," said FAO director general, Dr. Jacques Diouf. "Rather they are apparently the results of economic developments at large, and national forest or land use policies. "Therefore, forestry surveys should address, on a sustainable basis, further development of the forestry sector, which constitutes a backbone of world food security." Last August, the FAO revealed the first hints that deforestation was slowing around the world. Preliminary analysis of more than 300 satellite images showed the rate of deforestation in tropical countries was at least 10 percent less in the past 10 years compared to the 1980s. Half of the images showed a reduced rate of deforestation and 20 percent an increase. "These preliminary results do not mean that the battle against deforestation is over, and a reduction in deforestation must not be used as an excuse for unsustainable forest practices," said Hosny El-Lakany, assistant director general of the FAO Forestry Department at the time. "It does show, however, that the long-term efforts of FAO and others to build awareness of and capacity for sustainable forest management are worthwhile and should be reinforced." .
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