Tropical forest loss from growing rubber trade is more substantial than previously thought – new research

Eleanor Warren-Thomas; Antje Ahrends

Tropical forest loss from growing rubber trade is more substantial than previously thought – new research

Eleanor Warren-Thomas, Antje Ahrends

School of Environmental & Natural Sciences

Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh

Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

Abstract

Over 4 million hectares of tree cover – an area equivalent to the size of Switzerland – may have been cleared to make space for rubber plantations since the 1990s. Out of all the rubber planted, 1 million hectares may have been established in key biodiversity areas – sites that contribute significantly to biodiversity in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems.

These are the findings of our recent research, which mapped the conversion of land to rubber tree plantations across south-east Asia. The likely pace of forest loss that we found surpasses previous estimates.

Article also translated into Portuguese: https://theconversation.com/nova-pesquisa-mostra-que-a-perda-de-florestas-tropicais-por-causa-do-comercio-de-borracha-e-pior-do-que-se-pensava-218478

Original language	English
Specialist publication	The Conversation
Publication status	Published - 21 Nov 2023

Keywords

Rubber agroforestry
Deforestation

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

https://theconversation.com/tropical-forest-loss-from-growing-rubber-trade-is-more-substantial-than-previously-thought-new-research-216407Licence: CC BY-ND

2 Article
1 Commissioned report

High-resolution maps show that rubber causes substantial deforestation
Wang, Y., Hollingsworth, P. M., Zhai, D., West, C., Green, J. M. H., Chen, H., Hurni, K., Su, Y., Warren-Thomas, E., Xu, J. & Ahrends, A., 18 Oct 2023, In: Nature. 623
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
Rubber's inclusion in zero-deforestation legislation is necessary but not sufficient to reduce impacts on biodiversity
Warren-Thomas, E., Ahrends, A., Wang, Y., Wang Mei Hua, M. & Jones, J. P. G., 1 Sept 2023, In: Conservation Letters. 16, 5, e12967.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
85 Downloads (Pure)
Rubber Agroforestry: Feasibility at Scale
Wang Mei Hua, M., Warren-Thomas, E. & Cherico Wanger, T., 18 May 2021, Mighty Earth. 130 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review

File

How Mounting Demand for Rubber Is Driving Tropical Forest Loss
Warren-Thomas, E.
4/12/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
Growing rubber drives more deforestation than previously thought, study finds
Warren-Thomas, E.
22/11/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
The wonder material we all need but is running out
Warren-Thomas, E.
9/03/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment

Cite this

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abstract = "Over 4 million hectares of tree cover – an area equivalent to the size of Switzerland – may have been cleared to make space for rubber plantations since the 1990s. Out of all the rubber planted, 1 million hectares may have been established in key biodiversity areas – sites that contribute significantly to biodiversity in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. These are the findings of our recent research, which mapped the conversion of land to rubber tree plantations across south-east Asia. The likely pace of forest loss that we found surpasses previous estimates. Article also translated into Portuguese: https://theconversation.com/nova-pesquisa-mostra-que-a-perda-de-florestas-tropicais-por-causa-do-comercio-de-borracha-e-pior-do-que-se-pensava-218478",

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AB - Over 4 million hectares of tree cover – an area equivalent to the size of Switzerland – may have been cleared to make space for rubber plantations since the 1990s. Out of all the rubber planted, 1 million hectares may have been established in key biodiversity areas – sites that contribute significantly to biodiversity in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. These are the findings of our recent research, which mapped the conversion of land to rubber tree plantations across south-east Asia. The likely pace of forest loss that we found surpasses previous estimates. Article also translated into Portuguese: https://theconversation.com/nova-pesquisa-mostra-que-a-perda-de-florestas-tropicais-por-causa-do-comercio-de-borracha-e-pior-do-que-se-pensava-218478

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JO - The Conversation

JF - The Conversation

ER -

Tropical forest loss from growing rubber trade is more substantial than previously thought – new research

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Research output

High-resolution maps show that rubber causes substantial deforestation

Rubber's inclusion in zero-deforestation legislation is necessary but not sufficient to reduce impacts on biodiversity

Rubber Agroforestry: Feasibility at Scale

Press/Media

How Mounting Demand for Rubber Is Driving Tropical Forest Loss

Growing rubber drives more deforestation than previously thought, study finds

The wonder material we all need but is running out

Cite this