Tree Cover Loss in the Mediterranean Region-An Increasingly Serious Environmental Issue

The Mediterranean Region currently faces major environmental issues that require constant analysis and monitoring. This study presents a thorough approach based on the application of Landsat imagery from Global Forest Change during 2001-2019. Spatial distribution mapping was one of the objectives of the study. We approached the analysis of tree cover loss areas by analyzing the cumulative tree cover loss and Tree Cover Loss Rate. This indicator offers information about the trend of tree cover loss in each Mediterranean country. A total of 581 Mha of deforested area was mapped during the analyzed period. Analysis was further supplemented by some statistical operations (distributions shown via histograms, validation via Shapiro-Wilk normality test, and testing via one-sample t-test). Agricultural expansion, intense forest fires, illegal logging, overgrazing (especially in the northern part of Africa), and extensive livestock farming have influenced the Mediterranean forest ecosystem's stability. The continuation of these activities could cause extreme climatic events, severe degradation, and desertification.

Automated summary

This study presents a thorough approach to analyzing tree cover loss in the Mediterranean Region using Landsat imagery from 2001-2019. Statistical operations were used to supplement the analysis, confirming the impact of agricultural expansion, forest fires, illegal logging, and other activities on the stability of the Mediterranean forest ecosystem.