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Rapid monitoring of global land change

Author

Listed:
  • Amy H. Pickens

    (University of Maryland)

  • Matthew C. Hansen

    (University of Maryland)

  • Zhen Song

    (University of Maryland)

  • Andrew Poulson

    (University of Maryland)

  • Anna Komarova

    (University of Maryland)

  • Antoine Baggett

    (University of Maryland)

  • Theodore Kerr

    (University of Maryland)

  • Aleksandra Mikus

    (University of Maryland)

  • Carolina Ortiz Dominguez

    (University of Maryland)

  • Alexandra Tyukavina

    (University of Maryland)

  • André Lima

    (University of Maryland)

Abstract

Direct human action, principally land use expansion, and natural dynamics, such as fire and drought, drive global land change. Here we present a global land change monitoring system, DIST-ALERT, that rapidly tracks vegetation loss anomalies with 30 m resolution using imagery from Landsat 8/9 and Sentinel-2A/B/C satellites. The alerts capture agricultural expansion, urbanization, logging, mining, fire, drought, landslides, and other dynamics, but without attribution. Identified through a probability sample, 2023 anthropogenic land use conversions totaled 28.6 ± 7.6 Mha (±standard error), half of which replaced long-lived or secondary natural vegetation. Fires resulting in land cover conversion totaled 14.9 ± 4.3 Mha (±standard error). Combined, these dynamics equal 0.3% of the global land surface, equivalent to the area of the state of California. Annual DIST-ALERT summaries of land use expansion and climate-driven land change can serve as a future long-term global environmental data record.

Suggested Citation

  • Amy H. Pickens & Matthew C. Hansen & Zhen Song & Andrew Poulson & Anna Komarova & Antoine Baggett & Theodore Kerr & Aleksandra Mikus & Carolina Ortiz Dominguez & Alexandra Tyukavina & André Lima, 2025. "Rapid monitoring of global land change," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-64014-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64014-9
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