Mapping oil palm plantations globally
The rapid expansion of oil palm and other oil seed crops is causing significant environmental damage, leading to debates about their impact. Using advanced deep-learning techniques and satellite data, we created the first detailed global map of oil palm plantations in 2019, distinguishing between industrial and smallholder plantations with high accuracy. Our findings reveal the extent of these plantations in 49 countries, covering approximately 19.60 million hectares, with Southeast Asia being the main producing region. This accurate mapping can contribute to informed discussions about the environmental consequences of oil seed crop expansion.
