New to work It warns that since 2001, an area of mountain woodland greater than the state of Texas has disappeared, increasing at an “alarming” rate each year. Guard
Scientists have discovered that 78 million hectares (193 million acres) of montane forest have been lost worldwide in the last two decades, which is more than 7% of all existing montane forests. The main causes of tree loss were logging, agricultural expansion and forest fires.
The mountains are home to more than 85% of the world’s birds, mammals and amphibians. These habitats were once more protected than lowland forests as the rugged terrain made them less accessible. They are under increasing threat today as humans develop remote areas of the planet and lowland forests receive more protection.
More than 40% of total loss occurs in tropical montane forests, considered biodiversity hotspots, putting even greater pressure on endangered species. Zhenzhong Zeng of the Southern University of Science and Technology, one of the authors of the paper, said: “We are concerned that the loss of mountain forests is encroaching on areas known to be of high conservation value for terrestrial biodiversity, particularly in the tropics. The main drivers here are various types of agriculture and forestry expansions. .