Tree Cover Over Time
How the Isle of Man's tree cover has changed from 2000 to 2024, derived from NASA Landsat satellite imagery via the Hansen Global Forest Change dataset.
Tree cover includes all vegetation taller than 5 metres with canopy density above the threshold — forests, plantations, hedgerows, and urban trees. Loss is detected annually; gain data covers 2000–2012.
More from Biosphere
Tree Cover vs Forest Area
The 1,877 ha difference is hedgerow networks, garden trees, and scattered farm trees — real tree cover, but not "forest" by international definitions.
Tree Cover Over Time
Estimated tree cover (≥10% canopy) as a percentage of total land area, 2000–2024. Gain (2000–2012) is factored in from 2012 onwards.
Annual Tree Cover Loss
Hectares of tree cover lost each year (stand-replacement disturbance). Dashed line shows the 18.9 ha/year average.
Cumulative Tree Cover Loss
Running total of tree cover lost since 2001. Gain (290.2 ha, 2000–2012) shown as reference.
Remaining Tree Cover (Hectares)
Absolute tree-covered area on the Isle of Man over time, accounting for loss and gain.
Methodology & Data Source
Tree cover data from the Hansen Global Forest Change v1.12 dataset, derived from Landsat satellite imagery at ~30m resolution. "Tree cover" is defined as canopy closure for vegetation taller than 5m. We use a 10% canopy threshold — pixels with canopy density ≥10% are classified as "tree covered."
Loss is detected annually (2001–2024) as a stand-replacement disturbance — complete removal of canopy cover. Gain is measured as the inverse: establishment of tree canopy from a non-forest state. Gain data only covers 2000–2012 and is likely an underestimate of total recovery.
Important caveats: "tree cover" includes plantations, hedgerows, and urban trees — not just native woodland. Loss can be commercial forestry harvesting (with replanting), storm damage, or genuine deforestation. The IoM's significant conifer plantations are harvested and replanted on rotation.
Hansen, M. C., et al. (2013) High-Resolution Global Maps of 21st-Century Forest Cover Change. Science 342 (6160). | Generated 25/03/2026.
How does this compare to other sources?
"Tree cover" and "forest" are very different things. Satellite data at 30m resolution counts every hedgerow, garden tree, and plantation pixel. Official "forest area" only counts contiguous managed woodland blocks. Both are valid — they just measure different things:
| Source | Definition | Coverage | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| This page — Forest | Hansen ≥10% canopy, ≥0.5 ha contiguous patches (FAO-comparable) | 25.3% | 14,507 ha |
| This page — All Tree Cover | Hansen ≥10% canopy, all pixels (including isolated hedgerows & gardens) | 28.6% | 16,384 ha |
| GFW — Tree Cover | Same Hansen data at ≥30% — GFW parish data: Michael 26%, Santon 17%, Bride 8% | 8–26% | varies |
| GFW — Natural Forest | Excludes plantations & managed woodland — native woodland only | ~1.7% | ~1,930 ha |
| World Bank / FAO | Forest area (FAO definition — ≥0.5 ha contiguous, ≥5m, ≥10% canopy) | 6.07% | ~3,472 ha |
| IoM Government (DEFA) | Managed woodland, forest & amenity estate | ~5.3% | ~3,050 ha |
| Manx Wildlife Trust | Woodland cover (ecological) — target of 10% | <10% | <5,720 ha |
| IoM Woodland Trust | Historic ancient & semi-natural woodland (native only) | ~2% | ~1,100 ha |
IoM total land area: ~57,200 ha (572 km²). The large difference between "tree cover" (~29%) and "forest/woodland" (2–6%) reflects what satellite data captures at 30m pixel resolution: hedgerow networks, garden trees, parkland, and scattered farm trees all register as "tree cover" even though they aren't "forest." GFW's own parish-level data for the IoM confirms similar figures (8–26% by parish). "Natural forest" — native woodland without plantations — is only ~1.7%.
Why ~29% not ~6%?
Satellite data counts every 30m pixel with ≥10% canopy — including the IoM's extensive hedgerow network, garden trees, and parkland. Official "forest" figures (5–6%) only count contiguous managed woodland. GFW's own parish data for IoM confirms 8–26% tree cover.
Why does loss happen?
Most "loss" on the IoM is commercial plantation harvesting (Forestry, Mines & Lands) rather than deforestation. Storm events (like 2005 and 2014 winters) also cause significant canopy loss.
What about replanting?
Gain data only covers 2000–2012 and underestimates recovery. Replanted areas take 10–15 years to reach the 5m canopy threshold, so recent replanting won't yet show as "gain."