A new global assessment shows a decade-long rebound in tropical forest regrowth — a rare positive signal amid widespread deforestation and habitat loss. According to the Forest Declaration Assessment, more than 11 million hectares of tropical moist forests entered some stage of regrowth between 2015 and 2021.
Regrowth was especially strong in tropical regions of Latin America (with a nearly 750% increase) and Asia (about 450% increase), though data gaps limit clarity for some regions. The report nevertheless highlights the complex reality: this rebound often follows large-scale clearing — regrowth tends to occur where forests were previously disturbed.
While regrowth is encouraging, scientists caution that young or secondary forests are not equivalent to pristine old-growth forests: full ecological maturity — in terms of biodiversity, biomass storage and ecosystem stability — may take decades or longer.
The study underscores that regrowth alone cannot compensate for ongoing deforestation. With deforestation still proceeding at millions of hectares per year globally, the rebound represents a partial offset — not a cure.
Still, the findings offer a hopeful reminder that forests are resilient — under the right conditions, they can bounce back. The message: protect existing forests, support natural regeneration, and recognise that recovery — while slow — remains possible.
