Satellite data show that Europe's disturbed forests have lost more biomass since 2018. For each affected hectare, losses were 46 percent higher than in comparable earlier periods. The greatest damage appeared in older, denser forests in central Europe. These areas store large amounts of carbon in their trees and other vegetation. Their carbon storage makes these losses especially important.
Drought and bark beetle outbreaks have hit many of these forests. Storms, fires, harvesting and other disturbances can also remove biomass. Scientists used long-term satellite records to measure how much vegetation disappeared, not only where damage occurred. The trend could weaken Europe's forest carbon sink and make climate targets harder to reach. The findings suggest forest management must change as disturbances rise.