US lost nearly 10 million acres of forest to development and cropland from 1990 to 2017, with 11 states driving 70% of the loss

New research from Clark University, prepared for the Open Space Institute, finds the United States permanently lost nearly 10 million acres of forest between 1990 and 2017. The analysis focuses only on land cleared for development or cropland that stayed non-forest for at least five years. That approach separates lasting conversion from timber harvests and wildfire damage, which often recover. The loss is concentrated in the Southeast and south central states. Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Arkansas, and Alabama account for half of all conversion, and 11 states make up about 70 percent of the national total. The researchers estimate the clearing committed about 2.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent to the atmosphere, counting both direct emissions and lost future carbon storage. The report is aimed at land trusts, state climate strategies, and carbon offset markets looking to prioritize forest protection. It also flags gaps in current monitoring, including pasture conversion and a lag in reporting due to its five year persistence test. The team plans to extend the data through 2024 and develop an early warning system for recent conversion.