Satellite Monitoring: Forest Cover & Deforestation Alerts

Forests are being cleared at alarming rates and in many remote areas, illegal activity can go unnoticed for weeks or months. This lesson introduces how satellite imagery, when combined with AI, is revolutionizing how we detect deforestation. Through the WWF case study, you’ll see how tools like Google Earth Engine can pinpoint where forest cover is disappearing in near real time.

The video demonstrates how AI automates the comparison of satellite images over time to identify changes in land use flagging areas for urgent attention. Conservation teams, governments, and local communities can now respond more quickly to illegal logging, encroachment, or fire risks.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll understand the basic process of how satellite data is turned into alerts, the role of machine learning in analyzing those images, and how accessible these tools can be for local conservancies and NGOs. You’ll also reflect on how this type of monitoring could support your own forest, habitat, or land-use challenges.

Guided Activity Suggestion:

Visit Global Forest Watch and explore forest loss in your country or region. Can you identify any patterns or areas of concern?