Monitoring the world's forests
FAO has been monitoring the world’s forests since 1946 through regular assessments conducted with its member countries. FAO now works with partners to use remote sensing and cloud-based super computers to help countries monitor and report on forests and develop climate change mitigation plans and data-driven land-use policies. The Global Forest Resources Assessment presents a comprehensive view of the world’s forests and the ways in which the extent of forest resources, their condition, management and use is changing.
FAO also compiles global statistics on the production and consumption of forest products, pulp and paper production capacities and recovered paper data surveys. The FAO Yearbook of Forest Products is a compilation of statistical data on basic forest products for all countries and territories of the world.
At a national level, FAO also supports countries to develop national forest monitoring systems, forest product statistics and socioeconomic surveys to improve national forest information.
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News
Monitoring forests from space: a new era of forest monitoring and protection
07/10/2026
World Forest Week: United Kingdom and Germany announce support to strengthen innovative forest monitoring
02/10/2026
FAO Director-General praises Indonesia's forest conservation and monitoring efforts
01/10/2026
Director-General QU Dongyu praised Indonesia's efforts to reduce deforestation and welcomed the launch of its country report on the state of its forests during the 28th Session of FAO's Committee on Forestry.
Publications
The world’s mangroves 2000–2020
2023
In the first study of its kind, FAO, with experts around the world, uncovered a wealth of information on the extent of mangrove forests globally, as well as a glimpse into what causes mangrove losses and gains.
Estimating emissions and removals from forest degradation
2023
Forest degradation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, but it is difficult to measure and countries need technical support to report these emissions. This overview aims to guide countries seeking to report this type of emission internationally by identifying the challenges and summarising the different approaches countries are using and the lessons learnt.
Integration of SEPAL into Uganda's National Forest Monitoring System
2023
This case study summarizes the experience of the use of System for Earth Observation Data Access, Processing and Analysis for Land Monitoring (SEPAL) in Uganda by the National Forest Authority and its integration into the National Forest Monitoring System.