Forests

Here's how the Earth's forests have changed since the last ice age

Many companies and economies rely on forests to produce and market goods. Image: Unsplash/Meritt Thomas

Omri Wallach

Reporter, Visual Capitalist

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Forests

Earth's forest loss over the last 10,000 years
1/3 of Earth's forests have disappeared over the last 10,000 years. Image: Visual Capitalist
Earth's surface by type
Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth's surface. Image: Visual Capitalist
10,000 years ago
10,000 years ago, forests accounted for over half of Earth's habitable land. Image: Visual Capitalist
5,000 years ago
In 5,000 years, 0.2 billion hectares of forest disappeared. Image: Visual Capitalist
1700
As civilizations spread, crops accounted for 3% of Earth's habitable land. Image: Visual Capitalist
1800
By 1800, the world had lost 700 million hectares of grassland. Image: Visual Capitalist
1900
Almost 1 billion hectares of forest disappeared between 10,000 years ago and 1900. Image: Visual Capitalist
1950
By 1950, grassland only accounted for 12% of Earth's habitable land. Image: Visual Capitalist
2018
Half of Earth’s loss of forests occurred since 1900. Image: Visual Capitalist

Percentage of habitable land
Agriculture and urban areas have replaced large areas of forest and grassland. Image: Visual Capitalist
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