Deforestation in Canada is estimated with the National Deforestation Monitoring System (NDMS). Details describing this process are published here: https://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=36042.

Deforestation is the direct human-induced conversion of forested land to non-forested land use. Canada’s National Deforestation Monitoring System (NDMS) was designed and implemented to provide information needed by Canada to meet its obligation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to report the areas affected annually by deforestation. It also provides important information for the public, government policy makers, and scientists. To provide information about the amount of deforestation and why, where, and when it occurred in Canada, the NDMS uses deforestation mapped on a system of sample areas. The mapping is based on visual interpretation of satellite imagery supported by available ancillary information, such as high resolution imagery, forest inventory, and industrial databases, and informed by records-based information and expert knowledge. Accurate detection and mapping of deforestation events involves manual interpretation of satellite remote sensing imagery by specialized analysts. A key factor in the mapping is to distinguish deforestation from other forest cover losses that occur in Canada. The NDMS was designed to make use of all available lines of evidence and be flexible to accommodate variable resourcing levels. This system has been producing national deforestation monitoring results annually since 2006. The flexibility of the NDMS’s design makes it possible to adapt to future changes in data and resource availability, and positions the program well for sustained operational delivery into the future.