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MALDIVES
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Maldives Forest Figures
Forest Cover
Total forest area: 1,000 ha
% of land area: 3%
Primary forest cover: n/a
% of land area: n/a
% total forest area: n/a
Deforestation Rates, 2000-2005
Annual change in forest cover: n/a
Annual deforestation rate: n/a
Change in defor. rate since '90s: n/a
Total forest loss since 1990: n/a
Total forest loss since 1990:0.0%
Primary or "Old-growth" forests
Annual loss of primary forests: n/a
Annual deforestation rate: n/a
Change in deforestation rate since '90s: n/a
Primary forest loss since 1990: n/a
Primary forest loss since 1990:n/a
Forest Classification
Public: n/a
Private: n/a
Other: n/a
Use
Production: n/a
Protection: n/a
Conservation: n/a
Social services: n/a
Multiple purpose: n/a
None or unknown: n/a
Forest Area Breakdown
Total area: 1,000 ha
Primary: n/a
Modified natural: n/a
Semi-natural: n/a
Production plantation: n/a
Production plantation: n/a
Plantations
Plantations, 2005: n/a
% of total forest cover: n/a
Annual change rate (00-05): n/a
Carbon storage
Above-ground biomass: n/a M t
Below-ground biomass: n/a M t
Area annually affected by
Fire: n/a
Insects: n/a
Diseases: n/a
Number of tree species in IUCN red list
Number of native tree species: n/a
Critically endangered: n/a
Endangered: n/a
Vulnerable: n/a
Wood removal 2005
Industrial roundwood: n/a
Wood fuel: n/a
Value of forest products, 2005
Industrial roundwood: n/a
Wood fuel: n/a
Non-wood forest products (NWFPs): n/a
Total Value: n/a
More forest statistics for Maldives
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The Maldives, a chain of 1,191 coral islands west of Sri Lanka, has little forest cover—less than 2,500 acres (1,000 ha). The Maldives face exceptional environmental problems in the near future due not to local deforestation, but to the actions of developed countries: the Maldives will be flooded because of global warming. No island rises more than 6 feet (1.8 m) and 80 percent of the land area is under 3 feet (1 m). In 1987, the Maldives got a preview of what is to come: one-third of the nation was flooded. In an effort to stave off flooding as long as possible, the Maldives have banned the collection of coral and the use of anchors on the coral reefs that protect the islands. Around the most populated island of Male, the degradation of natural reef forced the government to install artificial breakwaters made of concrete tetrapods at a cost of US$10 million per kilometer, an expense the Maldives can ill afford.
Suggested reading - Books
Unless otherwise specified, this article was written by Rhett A. Butler [Bibliographic citation for this page]
Other resources
Contact me if you have suggestions on other rainforest-related environmental sites and resources for this country.
Image courtesy of the CIA
CIA-World Factbook Profile
FAO-Forestry Profile
World Resources Institute
Last updated: 4 Feb 2006
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