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Venezuela
Forest Information and Data
According to the U.N. FAO,
52.5% or about 46,275,000 ha of Venezuela is forested, according to FAO.
Change in Forest Cover: Between 1990 and 2010, Venezuela lost an average of 287,550 ha or 0.55% per year. In total, between 1990 and 2010, Venezuela lost 11.1% of its forest cover, or around 5,751,000 ha.
Venezuela's forests contain - million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass.
Biodiversity and Protected Areas: Venezuela has some 2356 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles according to figures from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Of these, 13.3% are endemic, meaning they exist in no other country, and 5.6% are threatened. Venezuela is home to at least 21073 species of vascular plants, of which 38.0% are endemic. 34.2% of Venezuela is protected under IUCN categories I-V.
2011 Update
In May 2011, Sassan Saatchi of Caltech's Jet Propulsion Lab and colleagues published a paper in PNAS with new carbon stock estimates for global tropical forests.
| Forest definition (canopy cover %) | 10% tree cover | 25% tree cover | 30% tree cover | | Forest Area (M ha) | 61 | 50 | 47 | | Aboveground forest carbon (Mt C) | 5,624 | 5,237 | 5,141 | | Belowground forest carbon (Mt C) | 1,549 | 1,422 | 1,389 | | Total forest carbon (Mt C) | 7,173 | 6,659 | 6,530 | | Average Carbon Density (t C/ha) | 118 | 134 | 139 |
M=million, t=metric tons; all figures are mean carbon stock values
Venezuela Environmental profile | Venezuela pictures
The following contains data relating to forest cover in Venezuela
Previous version of this profile (2009)
SECTIONS:
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Venezuela: Forest Cover, 2010
| Total Land Area (1000 ha) | 88205 |
| Total Forest Area (1000 ha) | 46275 |
| Percent Forest Cover | 52 |
| Primary Forest Cover (1000 ha) | - |
| Primary Forest, % total forest | - |
| Other wooded land (1000 ha) | 7317 |
| Percent other wooded land | 8 |
Venezuela: Breakdown of forest types, 2010
| Primary forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) | - | - |
| Other naturally regenerated forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) | - | - |
| Planted Forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) | - | - |
Venezuela: Trends in Total (Net) Forest Cover, 1990-2010
| TOTAL FOREST COVER (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| 52026 | 49151 | 47713 | 46275 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| -288 | -288 | -288 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| -0.57 | -0.59 | -0.61 | |
Venezuela: Trends in Natural Forest Cover (Deforestation), 1990-2010
| FOREST COVER (excluding planted forests) (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| 52026 | 49151 | 47713 | 46275 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| -288 | -288 | -288 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| -0.6 | -0.55 | -0.59
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Venezuela: Trends in Primary or Old Growth Forest Cover, 1990-2010
| PRIMARY FOREST COVER (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| - | - | - | - | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| - | - | - | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| - | - | - | |
Venezuela: Trends in Planted Forest Cover, 1990-2010
| PLANTED FOREST COVER (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| - | - | - | - | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| - | - | - | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| - | - | - | |
Venezuela: Primary designated function (percent)
| Production | Protection of soil and water | Conservation of biodiversity | Social services | Multiple use | Other | None or unknown |
| 49 | 17 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Venezuela: Forest ownership and management rights 2005 (percent)
| OWNERSHIP PATTERN |
| Public ownership | Private ownership | Other |
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
| PRIVATE OWNERSHIP |
| Individuals | Business entities and institutions | Local, indigenous and tribal communities |
| - | - | - |
| HOLDER OF MANAGEMENT RIGHTS OF PUBLIC FORESTS |
| Public administration | Individuals | Business
entities and Institutions | Communities | Other |
| 96 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Venezuela: Growing stock in forest
| GROWING STOCK IN FOREST |
Total
(million m3) | Per hectare
(m3) | Coniferous
(million m3) | Broadleaved
(million m3) | % commercial species |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| GROWING STOCK IN FOREST |
| Total (million m3) | Per hectare (m3) | Coniferous (million m3) | Broadleaved (million m3) | % commercial species |
| - | - | | | |
Venezuela: Trends in carbon stock in living forest biomass 1990-2010
CARBON STOCK IN LIVING FOREST BIOMASS
(million metric tons) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| - | - | - | - |
CARBON STOCK IN LIVING FOREST BIOMASS
(per hectare in tons) |
| | | 2000 |
| | | - |
ANNUAL CHANGE
(1 000 t/yr) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| - | - | - |
ANNUAL CHANGE PER HECTARE
(t/ha/yr) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| - | - | - |
Venezuela: Area of forest affected by fire and other disturbances 2005
| FOREST FIRE |
| 1000 ha | % wild fire (not managed burn) |
| - | - |
| EXCLUDING FOREST FIRE |
| Insects | Diseases | Other biotic agents | Abiotic factors | Total (excluding fire) | % of 2005 forest area |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
Venezuela: Trends in removals of wood products 1990-2005
INDUSTRIAL ROUNDWOOD
Total volume (1 000 m3 over bark) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | percent of which from forest 2005 |
| - | 1034 | 1321 | 18 |
WOODFUEL
Total volume (1 000 m3 over bark) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | percent of which from forest 2005 |
| - | 24 | 6 | - |
Venezuela: Value of wood and NWFP removals 2005
Value of removals
(million US$) | Value per ha forest
(US$) |
| Industrial roundwood | Woodfuel | NWFP | Total | |
| 121 | - | - | - | - |
Venezuela: Employment in forestry 1990-2005
TOTAL
(1000 full-time employees) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 |
| - | - | - |
IN PRIMARY PRODUCTION OF GOODS-FORESTRY
(1000 full-time employees) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 |
| - | 2 | - |
IN MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS-CONSERVATION
(1000 full-time employees) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 |
| - | - | - |
Venezuela: Forest policy and legal framework 2008
National forest policy (year): Yes (1999)
Sub-national forest policy: No
National forest program (year) - status: No (-) -
National forest law (year): Specific forest law (2008)
Sub-national forest law: No
Venezuela: Human resources within public forest institutions 2000-2008
| 2000 | 2005 | 2008 |
| # | % female | # | % female | # | % female |
| - | - | - | - | 58 | 57 |
Venezuela: Forest revenue and public expenditure on forestry 2005
| Forest revenue | Public expenditure (1000 US$) |
| Domestic funding | External funding | Total |
| (1000 US$) | Operational expenditure | Transfer payments | Operational expenditure | Transfer payments | Operational expenditure | Transfer payments |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | -
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Venezuela: Status of ratification of international conventions and agreements as of 1 January 2010
CbD:
UNFCCC:
Kyoto Protocol:
UNCCD:
ITTA:
CITeS:
Ramsar:
World Heritage Convention:
NlbI:
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Venezuela: Environment
| Environment - current issues | sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations | | Environment - international agreements | party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements | | Natural hazards | subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts |
Venezuela: Land use / Resources
| Land use (%) | arable land: 2.95%
permanent crops: 0.92%
other: 96.13% (2001) | | Natural resources | petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds |
Venezuela: Economy
| Economy - overview: | Venezuela continues to be highly dependent on the petroleum sector, accounting for roughly one-third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and over half of government operating revenues. Government revenue has also been bolstered by increased tax collection, which has surpassed its 2005 collection goal by almost 50%. Tax revenue is the primary source of non-oil revenue, which accounts for 53% of the 2006 budget. A disastrous two-month national oil strike from December 2002 to February 2003, temporarily halted economic activity. The economy remained in depression in 2003, declining by 9.2% after an 8.9% fall in 2002. Output recovered strongly in 2004-2005, aided by high oil prices and strong consumption growth. Venezuela continues to be an important source of crude oil for the US market. Both inflation and unemployment remain fundamental problems. | | GDP - per capita | $6,400 (2005 est.) | | GDP - real growth rate (%) | 8.3% (2005 est.) | | Agriculture - products | corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish | | GDP - composition by sector (%) | agriculture: 4.6%, industry: 48.2%, services: 47.2% (2005 est.) | | Industries | petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly | | Economic aid - recipient | $74 million (2000) | | Debt - external | $39.79 billion (2005 est.) | | Population below poverty line (%) | 47% (1998 est.) | | Labor force - by occupation (%) | agriculture 13%, industry 23%, services 64% (1997 est.) |
Venezuela: Population / Demographics
| Population (July 2005) | 25,375,281 | | Population growth rate (%) (2005) | 1.40% | | Population density (people/sq km) (2005) | 28.8 | | Percent rural (2003) | 12.3% | | Median age (years) | total: 25.6 years | | Total fertility rate (children born/woman) | 2.26 (2005 est.) | | Ethnic groups (%) | Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people |
Largest Cities in Venezuela
Cities and urban areas in Venezuela with population over 100,000 All figures are estimates for 2002.
| City | Country | City Population | Urban Area Population |
| Maracaibo | Venezuela | 1799900 | 1868000 |
| Caracas | Venezuela | 1763100 | 3478100 |
| Valencia | Venezuela | 1457200 | 1739100 |
| Barquisimeto | Venezuela | 919500 | 1039300 |
| Ciudad Guayana | Venezuela | 782600 | 782600 |
| Petare | Venezuela | 502300 | 502300 |
| Maracay | Venezuela | 479300 | 1125300 |
| Ciudad Bolivar | Venezuela | 358500 | 358500 |
| Barcelona | Venezuela | 348600 | 606900 |
| Maturin | Venezuela | 303600 | 303600 |
| Turmero | Venezuela | 301500 | 301500 |
| Cumana | Venezuela | 293000 | 293000 |
| San Cristobal | Venezuela | 286200 | 286200 |
| Merida | Venezuela | 271400 | 271400 |
| Barinas | Venezuela | 254000 | 254000 |
| Cabimas | Venezuela | 212300 | 212300 |
| Puerto la Cruz | Venezuela | 191500 | 191500 |
| Puerto Cabello | Venezuela | 187600 | 187600 |
| Acarigua | Venezuela | 180300 | 180300 |
| Guacara | Venezuela | 167400 | 167400 |
| Santa Teresa | Venezuela | 158700 | 158700 |
| Coro | Venezuela | 151000 | 151000 |
| Guanare | Venezuela | 140100 | 140100 |
| Valera | Venezuela | 128000 | 128000 |
| El Tigre | Venezuela | 127900 | 127900 |
| Ocumare del Tuy | Venezuela | 127500 | 127500 |
| Carupano | Venezuela | 122700 | 122700 |
| Calabozo | Venezuela | 118800 | 118800 |
| Punto Fijo | Venezuela | 114600 | 114600 |
| Cua | Venezuela | 112300 | 112300 |
| San Fernando | Venezuela | 111600 | 111600 |
| Carora | Venezuela | 105400 | 105400 |
Venezuela: Infrastructure
| Telephones - main lines in use | 2,841,800 (2002) | | Telephones - mobile cellular | 6,463,600 (2002) | | Roadways (km) | total: 96,155 km
paved: 32,308 km
unpaved: 63,847 km (1999 est.) |
Venezuela: Health
| Life expectancy at birth (years) | total population: 74.31 years
male: 71.27 years
female: 77.58 years (2005 est.) | | Infant mortality rate | 22.2 deaths/1,000 live births | | HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%) | 0.7% - note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.) |
Venezuela
: References & Data Sources
 Environment, Land use / Resources, Economy, Population / Demographics, Infrastructure, Health -- CIA World Factbook, 2005
Forest Cover, Forest types, Breakdown of forest types, Change in Forest Cover, Primary forests, Forest designation, Disturbances affecting forest land, Value of forests, Production, trade and consumption of forest products -- The FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS's Global Forest Resources Assessment (2005 & 2010) and the State of the World's Forests (2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001)
Protected Areas, Plant and animal biodiversity -- United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). 2004. World Database on Protected Areas.
Biosphere reservers -- United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) - Man and Biosphere Program. 2004. UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory.
RAMSAR sites -- The Bureau of the Convention on Wetlands . 2005. The Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
World Resources Institute's EarthTrends web site
The 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Population Data -- United Nations Population Fund
With additional analysis by Rhett Butler of mongabay.com
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