Deforestation estimates for biozones in developing nations are difficult to ascertain, due to limited access and the difficulties of measurement. Using satellite data, estimates were taken in 1978 and in 1988 to compare deforestation effects for eight major biozones, and to develop rates of deforestation. An attempt was made to make a global comparison to ascertain the total consequence of deforestation on the global biozone. The following table describes the results of that effort.
Deforestation estimates for eight national biozones.
A total tropical and subtropical biozone area of 11,610,350 acres exists on the planet, and 138,600 acres are lost annually to deforestation. This would explain why the deforestation of Brazil is the focus of most political and social efforts to preserve primary tropical and sub-tropical biozones.