STATISTICS: Myanmar


Myanmar

49.0% —or about 32,222,000 hectares—of Myanmar is forested.

Change in Forest Cover: Between 1990 and 2000, Myanmar lost an average of 466,500 hectares of forest per year. The amounts to an average annual deforestation rate of 1.19%. Between 2000 and 2005, the rate of forest change increased by 13.5% to 1.35% per annum. In total, between 1990 and 2005, Myanmar lost 17.8% of its forest cover, or around 6,997,000 hectares. Measuring the total rate of habitat conversion (defined as change in forest area plus change in woodland area minus net plantation expansion) for the 1990-2005 interval, Myanmar lost 13.9% of its forest and woodland habitat.

Biodiversity and Protected Areas: Myanmar has some 1709 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles according to figures from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Of these, 4.7% are endemic, meaning they exist in no other country, and 5.9% are threatened. Myanmar is home to at least 7000 species of vascular plants, of which 15.3% are endemic. 0.3% of Myanmar is protected under IUCN categories I-V.

Myanmar (Burma) Environmental profile | Burma pictures






Books

Myanmar: Forest Cover, 2005
Total Land Area (ha)65,755,000
Total Forest Area (ha)32,222,000
Percent Forest Cover49.00%
Primary Forest Cover (ha)-
Primary Forest, % total forest-
Primary Forest, % total land-
Other wooded land (ha)10,834,000


Myanmar : Forest types
Tropical (% forest area)99%
Subtropical (% forest area)1%
Temperate (% forest area)0%
Boreal/polar (% forest area)0%


Myanmar: Breakdown of forest types, 2005
Primary forest (ha | %)--
Modified natural (ha | %)31,373,00097.4%
Semi-natural (ha | %)--
Production plantation (ha | %)696,0002.2%
Production plantation (ha | %)153,0000.5%


Myanmar: Change in Forest Cover
TOTAL FOREST COVER
Forest 1990 (ha)39,219,000
Forest 2000 (ha)34,554,000
Forest 2005 (ha)32,222,000
Annual Change 1990-2000 (ha | %)(466,500)-1.19%
Annual Change 2000-2005 (ha | %)(466,400)-1.35%
Total Change 1990-2005 (ha | %)(6,997,000)-17.84%
Change in rate (%)13.48%
PRIMARY FOREST COVER
Primary 1990 (ha)-
Primary 2000 (ha)-
Primary 2005 (ha)-
Annual Change 1990-2000 (ha | %)--
Annual Change 2000-2005 (ha | %)--
Total Change 1990-2005 (ha | %)--
Change in rate (%)-
OTHER WOODED LAND
Other 1990 (ha)10,219,000
Other 2000 (ha)10,629,000
Other 2005 (ha)10,834,000
Annual Change 1990-2000 (ha | %)41,0000.40%
Annual Change 2000-2005 (ha | %)41,0000.39%
Total Change 1990-2005 (ha | %)615,0006.02%
Change in rate (%)-3.86%
PLANTATIONS
Other 1990 (ha)394,000
Other 2000 (ha)696,000
Other 2005 (ha)849,000
Annual Change 1990-2000 (ha | %)30,2007.66%
Annual Change 2000-2005 (ha | %)30,6004.40%
Total Change 1990-2005 (ha | %)455,000115.48%
Change in rate (%)-42.64%
TOTAL DEGRADATION/CONSERVSION
Forest area+Wooded Area-Plantations
Other 1990 (ha)49,044,000
Other 2000 (ha)44,487,000
Other 2005 (ha)42,207,000
Annual Change 1990-2000 (ha | %)(455,700)-0.93%
Annual Change 2000-2005 (ha | %)(456,000)-1.03%
Total Change 1990-2005 (ha | %)(6,837,000)-13.94%
Change in rate (%)10.32%


Myanmar: Primary
Primary or "old-growth" vegetation
Primary Forest 2005 (ha)-
Other primary wooded land 2005 (ha)-
Other primary wooded land 2005 (ha)0
Undisturbed vegetation 2005 (% land area)0.00%


Myanmar: Forest designation
Ownership of forest land, 2000
Public (%)100.0%
Private (%)0.0%
Other (%)0.0%
Ownership of other wooded land, 2000
Public (%)100.0%
Private (%)0.0%
Other (%)0.0%
Designated functions of forest � primary function 2005
Production (%)77.0%
Protection (%)4.7%
Conservation (%)15.2%
Social Services (%)-
Multiple Services (%)3.2%
None of Unknown (%)-


Myanmar: Disturbances affecting forest land 2000
Forest Area annually affected by
Fire (%)18.81%
Insects (ha)-
Diseases (ha)-
Other (ha)-


Myanmar: Protected areas
Protected areas
Biosphere reserves, 2005
Wetlands of international importance (Ramsar sites), 20051
World Heritage sites, 20040
Protected Areas: IUCN categories I-V, percent of total land0.3%
Protected Areas: IUCN categories Ia, Ib, and II, extent, percent of total land0.24%
Protected Areas: IUCN categories III, IV, and V, percent of total land, 20040.02%
Protected Areas: IUCN categories VI and other, percent of total land, 20044.95%


Myanmar: Biodiversity - Wildlife
Amphibians
total species89
endemic species15
threatened species0
Birds
total species1047
endemic species24
threatened species41
Mammals
total species288
endemic species4
threatened species39
Reptiles
total species285
endemic species37
threatened species20
Wildlife diversity
total species1709
endemic species80
threatened species100


Myanmar: Biodiversity - Plants
Growing stock composition
3 most common species
% of total growing stock
11.20%
Growing stock composition
3 most common species
% of total growing stock
19.50%
Number of Native tree species
Native tree species2,000
Number of tree species in IUCN red list
Critically Endangered13
Endangered12
Vulnerable12
Vascular Plant Species, 2004
Total7000
Number endemic1071
Number of Threatened Plant Species, 2004
Species threatened38


Myanmar: Value of forests
Biomass stock in forest, 2005
Above-ground biomass (M t)5,109
Below-ground biomass (M t)1,226
Dead wood (M t)697
Total (M t)7,032
Carbon stock in forest, 2005
Carbon in above-ground biomass (M t)2,555
Carbon in below-ground biomass (M t)613
Carbon in dead wood (M t)348
Carbon in litter (M t)68
Soil carbon (M t)-
Change in growing stock 1990 - 2005
Annual change rate (1000 cubic m/yr)
1990-2000-9,200
2000-2005-14,200
Growing stock per hectare 1990 - 2005
Annual change rate ( cubic m/ha per yr)
1990-20000.73
2000-20050.74
Wood removal 2005
Industrial roundwood (1000 cubic m)3,880
Wood fuel (1000 cubic m)39,180
Total wood removal 2005 (1000 cubic m)43,060
Total wood removal 2005 (% of growing stock)2
Plant products 2005
Food (t)-
Fodder (t)-
Raw material for medicine and aromatic products (t)0
Raw material for colorants and dyes (t)3,000
Raw material for utensils, handicrafts & construction (t)1,496,000
Ornamental plants (t)-
Exudates (t)0
Other plant products (t)-
Animal products 2005
Living animals (units)-
Hides, skins and trophies (units)-
Wild honey and bee-wax (t)-
Bush meat (t)-
Raw material for medicine and aromatic products (t)-
Raw material for colorants and dyes (t)-
Other edible animal products (t)-
Other non-edible animal products (t)1,000
Value of wood and non-wood forest product removal 2005
Industrial roundwood (US$)$838,479,000
Wood fuel (US$)$51,415,000
Non-wood forest products (US$)$11,761,000
Total value (US$)$901,655,000
Total value ($USD/ha)$28
Employment in forestry 2000
Total people employed101,000


Myanmar : Production, trade and consumption of forest products, 2002
Woodfuel ('000 cubic m), 2002
Production35,403
Imports-
Exports0
Consumption35,403
Industrial roundwood ('000 cubic m), 2002
Production5,539
Imports0
Exports877
Consumption4,662
Sawnwood ('000 cubic m), 2002
Production381
Imports0
Exports269
Consumption112
Wood-based panels ('000 cubic m), 2002
Production20
Imports4
Exports79
Consumption0
Pulp for paper ('000 metric tons), 2002
Production47
Imports0
Exports0
Consumption47
Paper and paperboard ('000 metric tons), 2002
Production42
Imports52
Exports0
Consumption94
Burma: Environment
Environment - current issuesdeforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Natural hazardsdestructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts


Burma: Land use / Resources
Land use (%)arable land: 15.19%
permanent crops: 0.97%
other: 83.84% (2001)
Natural resourcespetroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower


Burma: Economy
Economy - overview:Burma is a resource-rich country that suffers from government controls, inefficient economic policies, and abject rural poverty. The junta took steps in the early 1990s to liberalize the economy after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism", but those efforts stalled and some of the liberalization measures were rescinded. Burma has been unable to achieve monetary or fiscal stability, resulting in an economy that suffers from serious macroeconomic imbalances - including inflation, multiple official exchange rates that overvalue the Burmese kyat, and a distorted interest rate regime. Most overseas development assistance ceased after the junta began to suppress the democracy movement in 1988 and subsequently ignored the results of the 1990 legislative elections. Economic sanctions against Burma by the United States - including a ban on imports of Burmese products and a ban on provision of financial services by US persons in response to the government of Burma's attack in May 2003 on AUNG SAN SUU KYI and her convoy - further slowed the inflow of foreign exchange. Oil and gas development will drive growth in the next few years. Other areas, however, are struggling. In February 2003, a major banking crisis hit the country's 20 private banks, shutting them down and disrupting the economy. As of December 2005, the largest private banks remained moribund, leaving the private sector with little formal access to credit. Official statistics are inaccurate. Published statistics on foreign trade are greatly understated because of the size of the black market and unofficial border trade - often estimated to be one to two times the size of the official economy. Burma's trade with Thailand, China, and India is rising. Though the Burmese government has good economic relations with its neighbors, a better investment climate and an improved political situation are needed to promote foreign investment, exports, and tourism.
GDP - per capita$1,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate (%)1.5% (2005 est.)
Agriculture - productsrice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish and fish products
GDP - composition by sector (%)agriculture: 54.6%, industry: 13%, services: 32.4% (2005 est.)
Industries agricultural processing; knit and woven apparel; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; cement; natural gas
Economic aid - recipient$127 million (2001 est.)
Debt - external$6.967 billion (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line (%)25% (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation (%)agriculture 70%, industry 7%, services 23% (2001 est.)


Burma: Population / Demographics
Population (July 2005)42,909,464
Population growth rate (%) (2005)0.42%
Population density (people/sq km) (2005)65.2
Median age (years)total: 26.14 years
Total fertility rate (children born/woman)2.01 (2005 est.)
Ethnic groups (%)Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5%


Largest Cities in Myanmar

Cities and urban areas in Myanmar with population over 100,000 All figures are estimates for 2002.

CityCountryCity PopulationUrban Area Population
YangonMyanmar (Burma)40160004016000
MandalayMyanmar (Burma)10576001057600
MawlamyineMyanmar (Burma)367500367500
BagoMyanmar (Burma)228100228100
PatheinMyanmar (Burma)219700219700
MonywaMyanmar (Burma)165500165500
AkyabMyanmar (Burma)164400164400
TaunggyiMyanmar (Burma)157100157100
MeiktilaMyanmar (Burma)154900154900
MerguiMyanmar (Burma)146500146500
LashioMyanmar (Burma)128500128500
PyayMyanmar (Burma)126300126300
HenzadaMyanmar (Burma)125000125000
MyingyanMyanmar (Burma)123700123700
DaweiMyanmar (Burma)115600115600
PakokkuMyanmar (Burma)113200113200
ThatonMyanmar (Burma)103200103200
MaymyoMyanmar (Burma)102400102400




 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) and the State of the World�s Forests (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



Tropical rainforest information

 World Rainforests
 Rainforest Structure
 Rainforest Biodiversity
 Canopy
 Forest Floor
 Rainforest Waters
 Indigenous People
 Deforestation
 Global Importance


 Rainforest Conservation
 Country Reports update soon
 References
 Deforestation Tables
 The Amazon Rainforest update soon
 The Congo Rainforest update soon
 Deforestation in Brazil
 Rainforest Images




Google
  Web
mongabay.com
Mongabay Rainforests
Mongabay News
Mongabay Photos

what's new | rainforests home | help support the site | madagascar | search | about | contact

Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2006

"Rainforest" is used interchangeably with "rain forest" on this site.
Same for "rainforests" and "rain forests". "Jungle" is generally not used.