Global Forest Change

This page provides access to Global Forest Change 2000–2014 data, specifically version 1.2, derived from time-series analysis of Landsat images. This dataset characterizes global forest extent and change and is associated with a journal article by Hansen et al., Science 2013. A newer version 1.7 including forest loss through 2019 is also available via a linked page.

Version 1.2 includes a new 2014 loss layer and features several methodological improvements over version 1.0. Key changes involve the use of Landsat 8 OLI data from 2013 onward, reprocessing of 2011-2012 data, and enhancements in training data, quality assessment models, and input spectral features for the loss model.

Users should note that years preceding 2011 have not been reprocessed with these new methods, potentially leading to inconsistencies. Caution is advised when integrating version 1.0 (2000–2012) and updated version 1.2 (2011–2014) data due to these methodological differences, particularly concerning the impact of Landsat 8 on detection sensitivity.