Protecting forests with Google Earth Engine

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is leveraging cutting-edge technology to better monitor and protect the world’s forests. FSC is using satellite imagery and advanced data analytics available in Google Earth Engine (GEE) to track changes in forests, improve decision making, and support sustainable forest management.  

Satellite imagery has changed the way we understand forests, providing a bird’s-eye-view of how ecosystems change over time. Google Earth Engine’s powerful computing platform enables FSC to analyze vast amounts of data to identify shifts in forest characteristics, including changes away from “naturalness” - a measure of how much a forest has been changed due to human activity.  

Naturalness is shaped by various factors, such as tree density, height, and the extent of human activity like trails, roads, and logging. A theoretically pristine, untouched forest has the highest level of naturalness, while a plantation or heavily logged forest ranks lower. Understanding these distinctions helps FSC and its stakeholders make informed decisions to protect forests and maintain their ecological integrity.  

To support this work, FSC used Google Earth Engine and Dynamic World to develop tools that can analyze and compare global forest data over time. “This level of analysis required enormous amounts of data and computational power,” explains Ben White, FSC’s Ecosystem Services Technology Officer. “Google’s tools and data were essential for creating a clear picture of how forests are changing and what that means for our work.” 

The use of Google Earth Engine has also sparked collaboration between FSC and the broader GEE community. In October, FSC joined the GEE team to discuss leveraging geospatial technology for environmental protection. This included a "hackathon" focused on innovative ways to measure ecosystem services, further integrating technology into FSC’s efforts to promote sustainable forest management. 

Looking ahead, FSC aims to refine these tools based on community feedback and expand their application to support forest conservation worldwide. By harnessing the power of satellite data and technological innovation, Google Earth Engine has enabled FSC to set a new standard for understanding and safeguarding the planet’s forests. 

For more information on FSC’s solutions for EUDR compliance, please visit fsc.org/EUDR. If you’d like to learn more about Google Earth Engine please visit earthengine.google.com/