Areas of Europe and North America shown to be reversing deforestation
[Rome] Europe and North America have reversed centuries of deforestation and are showing a net increase in wooded areas, but most developing countries continue to cut down their trees, a U.N. agency said Tuesday. The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization said in its biannual report on the State of the World’s Forests that economic prosperity and careful forest management have had positive effects. However, poor or conflict-stricken countries — where clear-cutting and uncontrolled fires are especially severe — still face serious challenges in managing their wooded areas, the agency said.