Google DeepMind introduces ForTy 2020, a high-resolution global forest map that distinguishes natural forests from plantations, aiding efforts to combat deforestation.
Forest classification project launched
A new global map called Forest Typology (ForTy) 2020 has been developed to help distinguish different types of forests, including natural forests, plantations, and tree crops. This tool aims to address the growing need to track deforestation and ensure supply chains are not contributing to forest loss.Six forest types identified
ForTy classifies each 10-meter by 10-meter parcel of land into six categories: primary forest, naturally regenerating forest, planted forest, forest plantation, tree crops, and agroforestry, along with other lands. This level of detail is more precise than existing maps, which often only focus on whether an area has trees or not.Training the model with expert data
The model behind ForTy was trained using about 1.7 million labeled locations, drawn from expert surveys, national and regional datasets, and targeted revisions of areas where the model had difficulty. The main source of data is AlphaEarth Foundations, a geospatial model that compiles satellite observations over several years.High accuracy with some uncertainty
Google validated the model on over 9,000 locations worldwide, each reviewed by two trained experts. The accuracy reaches 90% for identifying forest types and 95% for distinguishing forest from non-forest areas. However, approximately 10% of classifications remain uncertain, and users must choose a threshold for their specific needs.Time series data available
Preliminary time series data from 2017 to 2025 show changes in forest types, such as natural forests being converted into plantations. These data are expected to improve in the coming months and are available for free on Google Earth Engine and Figshare under an open license.Tool for environmental regulation
ForTy is being promoted as a reference tool for the European Union's regulation against deforestation (EUDR). This regulation requires that certain products, like coffee and palm oil, do not come from recently deforested land. Companies can use ForTy to check the forest type and changes in a given area since 2020.Open access and future use
A detailed article describing the project has been published in the journal Scientific Data. Google hopes that governments, businesses, and environmental groups will use ForTy to support deforestation-free supply chains and focus on protecting natural forests.
