A group of researchers from the University of Maryland has carried out a research on the extent at which deforestation has taken place. It has been unveiled that between 2000 and 2012, 2.3 million square kilometres have been lost.

"Intensive forestry practised within subtropical forests resulted in the highest rates of forest change globally. Boreal forest loss due largely to fire and forestry was second to that in the tropics", said study researchers.

In order to reach at the above given result, study researchers have affirmed that the U. S. Geological Survey's Landsat 7 satellite has taken the pictures. Moreover, the data collected from the satellite was made free in 2008.

This led study researchers to carry out such an analysis. In fact, Google has contributed in its own manner and that is by contributing its resources from its Earth Engine.

Prof. Matthew Hansen, project leader, was of the view that they have been helped a lot by Google Earth Engine computing. He continued by affirming that if the task would have been done with the help of single computer then it would have taken 15 years. But with the help of Google Earth Engine computing, they were able to finish the same within few days.