China has added 447,500 Sq km of planted forest, but lost 219,100 sq km of natural forest

China gained 447,500 sq km of planted forest but lost 219,100 sq km of natural forest from 1990 to 2020.

By 2020, only 9.6% of China's natural forests remained fully intact.

Natural forest fragmentation increased in 60% to 64% of China's provinces and counties.

% of new tree plantation growth occurred within one kilometre of natural forest edges, breaking up connected habitats.

The study in Communications Earth & Environment found that China's Natural Forest Protection Program helped slow fragmentation in protected areas.