metsäkato
Metsäkato is a Finnish term that describes forest loss or disappearance. In a broad sense it covers both the outright reduction of forest area (deforestation or land-use change) and the deterioration of forest health that lowers canopy cover, biomass, or the ecological value of a forest. The concept is used in forest policy, ecology, and climate discussions to describe changes that reduce the ecosystem services provided by forests.
The causes of metsäkato are diverse and often interact. Climate change increases drought stress, heat, and extreme
Measurement and monitoring rely on remote sensing, field inventories, and forest surveillance programs. Key indicators include
Impacts of metsäkato are wide-ranging, affecting biodiversity, soil and water regulation, carbon cycling, and the livelihoods