Mapping the Spatial Distribution of Anthropogenic Forest Disturbances in China from 1986 to 2020

Forests have substantial potential to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration and to deliver important co-benefits to society. Long-term datasets on anthropogenic forest disturbances are vital for understanding their impacts on terrestrial carbon budgets, hydrothermal balance, and climate regulation. However, there is currently no quantitative information regarding the patterns and trends of anthropogenic forest disturbances in China.

In this study, we developed a comprehensive forest disturbance dataset for China by integrating Landsat imagery with the LandTrend algorithm, thus capturing spatiotemporal changes in forest disturbances from 1986 to 2020. We then used socioeconomic and environmental satellite data and direct sources such as statistical yearbooks to identify anthropogenic forest disturbance information, applied LightGBM model to reconstruct their spatial patterns and evaluate key driving factors. Our results indicate that approximately 37% of China’s forests experienced disturbances over the past three decades. Following the implementation of national forest protection measures, increased timber imports, and logging quota management after 1990, anthropogenic forest disturbances declined markedly. Between 1990 and 2000, anthropogenic activities led to a forest loss of 4.601 × 10⁴ km², including a notable increase in forest loss in the Pearl River Delta region as a result of urbanization. In terms of the other drivers of forest loss, more than 80% of forest losses were linked to forestry-related activities, with additional contributions from commodity-driven deforestation and shifting agriculture.

The high-resolution, systematically developed anthropogenic forest disturbance dataset presented in this study offers critical baseline data for forest ecology research particularly in the context of China. It further supports national strategies aimed at addressing climate change, enhancing the monitoring of human-induced forest disturbances, and safeguarding forest carbon sinks.