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Nusantara Atlas allows anyone to identify deforestation and fires linked to palm oil, and wood pulp production. It does this by combining near-instant notifications of deforestation and fires, annual expansion of plantations (oil palm and acacia/eucalyptus), along with associated deforestation since the year 2000 with detailed cadastral data and supply chain information. It allows anyone to verify these data by plugging high-resolution satellite imagery (Sentinel-2, Planet/NICFI, Landsat). For example, Nusantara Atlas allows users to generate satellite animations anywhere in the world on the fly, providing a powerful tool to visualize changes in the Earth's surface over time, and thereby verify if there has been deforestation.

Exploring Merauke’s Diverse Landscapes Through Geo-Tagged Photography To highlight the extraordinary biodiversity of Merauke, Nusantara Atlas by The TreeMap has geo-tagged a series of aerial photographs taken by photojournalist Ulet Ifansasti for Greenpeace during the Rainbow Warrior’s 2018 Southeast Asia tour. Captured from a helicopter, these images showcase the region’s rich and varied ecosystems—from dense tropical rainforests and melaleuca forests to savanna woodlands, grasslands, and mangrove habitats. You can now explore these images interactively on Nusantara Atlas. Our latest article includes a video that guides you through the platform, showing how to view and navigate the geo-tagged photos. https://lnkd.in/g-cQ9v8A #Merauke #NusantaraAtlas #KeanekaragamanHayati #Greenpeace

Tracking Rawa Singkil’s Deforestation with High-Resolution Satellite Imagery Nusantara Atlas by The TreeMap, in collaboration with Rainforest Action Network (RAN) have analyzed new satellite data revealing ongoing deforestation in Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve. Between June and September 2024, Pléiades Neo satellites (30 cm resolution) captured ultra-high-definition imagery of the region. This was combined with TripleSat and 21AT imagery from 2016 (80 cm resolution) and Planet/NICFI data from 2020 (5 m resolution) to track illegal forest loss over time. Since September 2024, at least 300 hectares of primary peat-swamp forest have been cleared at key locations: ?? 2.7487, 97.6936 ?? 2.7549, 97.6577 ?? 2.7684, 97.6710 ?? 2.8024, 97.6465 ?? 2.8200, 97.7302 ?? 2.8469, 97.7299 As one of Sumatra’s last intact peat-swamp ecosystems, Rawa Singkil plays a crucial role in carbon storage and biodiversity conservation. However, continued illegal land conversion for palm oil plantations threatens these critical landscapes. By leveraging high-resolution satellite monitoring, this collaboration provides concrete evidence of deforestation, supporting conservation efforts and accountability measures. Explore the latest imagery in the video below. #RawaSingkil #DeforestationTracking #SatelliteMonitoring #Sustainability

In August 2024, hundreds of excavators arrived in Wanam and Wogikel to begin clearing land for a logistics seaport and a 135 km Food Estate Road. Satellite imagery confirms the rapid destruction of Melaleuca swamp forests. By December 12, 2024, 4,200 hectares had been bulldozed, with drainage canals under construction. You can explore the ultra-high-resolution (50 cm) satellite imagery from?Skysat/Planet, commissioned by the NGO?Mighty Earth in the EXPLORE tab on the Nusantara Atlas by The TreeMap - https://lnkd.in/g88ShyA2

Assessing Merauke’s Wetlands: Is This Land Suitable for Large-Scale Rice Cultivation? As fertile rice fields in Java and Bali are lost to urbanization, Indonesia has turned to Merauke, Papua, for agricultural expansion. However, this region’s unique ecosystem—defined by Melaleuca forests, tropical savanna, and wetlands—raises critical questions about the feasibility of large-scale rice cultivation. The Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE), launched in 2010, aims to transform the area into a national agricultural hub. However, unlike Java’s volcanic soils, Merauke’s wetlands are acidic, nutrient-poor, and seasonally flooded. These conditions support native Melaleuca trees, which act as flood buffers, sustain wildlife, and serve as natural firebreaks. Indigenous communities have long relied on these landscapes for their livelihoods. Despite these ecological constraints, over 4,200 hectares of Melaleuca forests have already been cleared for food estate infrastructure, with drainage canals being constructed to convert swamps into farmland. These alterations risk permanently disrupting the region’s hydrology, increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and fire. Indonesia has attempted large-scale wetland rice cultivation before—most notably with the Mega Rice Project in Central Kalimantan during the 1990s. That project involved draining vast peat-swamp forests to establish rice farms, but poor soil quality and inadequate irrigation led to total failure. The landscape was left severely degraded, with frequent wildfires fueled by dried-out peatlands. Merauke shares similar environmental conditions, raising concerns that this project could follow the same trajectory. While modern agricultural techniques may offer improvements, further scientific study is needed to determine whether large-scale rice cultivation is viable in this landscape. Since the 1970s, satellite data shows that fires have naturally occurred in Merauke’s dry season, primarily in its savanna-like grasslands. Dense rainforest historically acted as a buffer, containing wildfires. However, extensive land clearing for food estates, infrastructure, and drainage projects threatens to weaken this natural defense, heightening the risk of uncontrolled fires. While ensuring food security is a national priority, Merauke’s environmental conditions demand a cautious, research-based approach. The central question remains: is this land truly suited for large-scale rice cultivation, or does history suggest otherwise? The images below: 1. Nusantara Atlas satellite image of Meruake 2015 2. Close up arial footage of the Melaleuca tree taken by Ulet Ifansasti for Greenpeace Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/g-cQ9v8A And explore the ultra-high-resolution (50 cm) satellite imagery from?Skysat/Planet, commissioned by the NGO?Mighty Earth here: https://lnkd.in/gZDQJSEQ

The destruction of Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve — Western Sumatra’s last remaining coastal peat-swamp forests — continues, with illegal palm oil still entering global supply chains.

Illegal Deforestation in Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve Continues Despite Exposure Recent satellite analysis confirms that deforestation inside Indonesia’s Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve has not slowed, despite mounting evidence and international pressure. The latest investigation by Rainforest Action Network (RAN), supported by Nusantara Atlas by The TreeMap with high-resolution Airbus satellite imagery, has revealed ongoing illegal palm oil expansion within this critically important ecosystem. This follows previous exposés, such as TEMPO MEDIA 2019 report, which first revealed satellite imagery evidence of illegal palm oil encroachment in the reserve. At the time, the government and corporations denied responsibility. However, new data shows that illegal plantations not only persist but are already producing palm oil that is likely entering the global supply chain. The latest high-resolution imagery has allowed researchers to measure not just the extent of deforestation, but also how much land has been in production for more than four years. This confirms that palm oil from illegal plantations inside the nature reserve is already entering global supply chains, making it more difficult to trace and remove from markets. Government Acknowledges the Problem—But Too Late In August 2024, Indonesian officials stated that there was no problem inside the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve. However, the findings from the RAN - Nusantara Atlas investigation pressured the government to acknowledge the scale of the issue. Despite this, enforcement remains weak, and deforestation continues. Rather than deterring illegal clearing, the release of past investigations has not significantly slowed deforestation rates inside Rawa Singkil. Satellite data shows continued expansion of illegal plantations, draining of peatlands, and destruction of key orangutan habitats. A Crisis for Biodiversity and Climate Rawa Singkil is home to one of the most important populations of critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, as well as tigers and elephants. Its vast peatlands act as a carbon sink, storing massive amounts of carbon. However, when these forests are cleared and drained, they become a carbon source, worsening climate change and increasing fire risk. What Happens Next? Despite mounting evidence, deforestation inside Rawa Singkil is increasing rather than decreasing. With palm oil from illegal plantations already in production, the global supply chain must take stronger action. Corporations, regulators, and international buyers must implement more stringent tracking and accountability measures. Without immediate enforcement, one of Indonesia’s last great peat swamp forests will be lost. Read the initial reports here: https://lnkd.in/gaQEy32E https://lnkd.in/gtHQ9VhA

Introducing the newest features on Nusantara Atlas by The TreeMap The Explore Tab provides data-driven insights into Indonesia’s environmental changes using high-resolution satellite imagery. Featured Stories: 1?? Bali’s Transformation: From Rice Fields to Tourism Hubs Declassified 1965 KH-7 Gambit spy satellite images—never before seen by the public—are now available on Nusantara Atlas. These ultra-high-resolution images reveal South Bali before mass tourism, providing a rare look at how resorts, roads, and urban sprawl replaced traditional landscapes. Explore this interactive imagery and see six decades of change unfold. Recently featured in The Guardian. 2?? Rawa Singkil: A Biodiversity Hotspot Under Threat One of the last remaining habitats for the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan, Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve represents a crucial case study in deforestation and habitat fragmentation. To measure the extent of recent forest loss, Rainforest Action Network and The TreeMap commissioned ultra-high-resolution (30 cm) imagery from Pléiades Neo satellites between June and September 2024. These new data, combined with very-high-resolution (80 cm) imagery from June 2016 (TripleSat, 21 AT) and high-resolution (5 m) imagery from December 2020 (Planet/NICFI), provide an unprecedented ability to track illegal palm oil expansion within the reserve. Satellite analysis reveals the growing threat of deforestation, illegal encroachment, and habitat loss, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this internationally recognized ecosystem. 3?? Merauke’s Rice Expansion: Environmental Trade-offs 50 cm Skysat imagery (2024) commissioned by the NGO Mighty Earth confirms the rapid clearing of 4,200 hectares of Melaleuca swamp forests for port and road infrastructure. Drainage canals now threaten peatlands, raising concerns over carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, and agricultural sustainability. Explore more here: https://lnkd.in/gC_2wJPY #NusantaraAtlas #SatelliteImagery #Deforestation #Biodiversity #Sustainability

A showcase by The Guardian of the Nusantara Atlas by The TreeMap's most recent app feature. Now users are able to compare arial images of Bali in 1965 to the present day. Utilizing declassified CIA images from 1965, layered on modern satellite imagery of the South Bali region. The most striking visual is the decrease of nature and rice field landscapes, lost to development in the past 60 years. Bali is facing the challenge of balancing nature and development for economic growth. Overdevelopment caused by unregulated building projects is an issue that environmental groups are lobbying the regional government to take action on. #Bali

Nusantara Atlas by The TreeMap Featured in The Guardian We are pleased to share that Nusantara Atlas has been featured in The Guardian for our work utilizing declassified spy satellite imagery to analyze land-use changes in Bali over the past six decades. The study highlights the significant transformation of Bali’s landscape, driven by tourism expansion and urban development, and underscores the importance of sustainable land-use planning. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g7QrJfBa #NusantaraAtlas #Bali #SatelliteImagery #SustainableDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #TheGuardian