The idea intact forests exist in the world is approaching 'myth', say experts involved in studies by the World Resources Institute and Global Forest Watch.
Detailed and comprehensive data compilation of forest cover, particularly in Russia, Central Africa, North America, Chile, Venezuela and Indonesia, show there is less forest still surviving the ravages of mining, logging and urban sprawl than expected.
The report released yesterday by the Washington-based World Resources Institute estimates that about 40 per cent of the world's remaining forests will disappear in the next 10 to 20 years.
This echoes predictions made by the institute in a report in February about Indonesia.
Now the experts say estimating what comprises an intact forest needs fresh approaches.
'As we examined what we thought were still vast, untouched stretches of intact forests in the world, we came to the conclusion that they are fast becoming a myth,' said World Resources Institute president Jonathan Lash.
'Much of the green canopy that is left is, in reality, already criss-crossed by roads, mining and logging concessions,' he said.
