Band 8+: The table below gives information about the percentage of land covered by forest in various countries in 1990 and 2005 with estimated figures for 2015. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The table illustrates the percentages of land covered by forest in four countries—Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Chile—from 1990 to 2005.

Overall, the proportion of land surrounded by trees in Brazil and Australia showed downward trends, while the figure for New Zealand and Chile increased throughout the period. Despite these changes, Brazil maintained the highest percentage of forest-covered land among other countries.

In 1990, the percentage of areas surrounded by forest in Brazil was the highest, at 62.2%; this was followed by a notable decline, ultimately falling to 53.5% in 2015. Similarly, starting at 21.9% in 1990, the percentage of land covered by forest in Australia experienced a slight decrease to 21.3% in 2005. In 2015, however, this figure decreased to 20%, making it the lowest for most of the period.

However, the figures for New Zealand and Chile bucked the trend. In 1990, the percentages of land covered by forests in New Zealand and Chile were 28.8% and 20.4%, respectively. In 2015, both figures showed a gradual increase, with corresponding figures of 32.3% and 22%.