Roads less traveled multiply deforestation in the Amazon and beyond
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - 08:44
in Earth & Climate
James Cook University-led research has revealed secondary roads branching from major highways in tropical forests linked to extensive deforestation across the Brazilian Amazon, the Congo Basin, and New Guinea. Findings demonstrate that first-cut roads, initially constructed in undisturbed forests, lead to a proliferation of secondary roads, significantly increasing access to remote areas and accelerating forest degradation.
