Zambia Faces Alarming Tree Cover Decline: Wildfires and Agriculture Impact

Zambia Faces Alarming Tree Cover Decline: Wildfires and Agriculture Impact

Zambia's tree cover has experienced a significant decline, with a net change of -7.31% over recent years. The primary drivers of this loss include shifting agriculture and wildfires. Shifting agriculture alone accounts for approximately 80% of the tree cover loss, while wildfires contribute to around 1%. The latest incident in Southern Province highlights the ongoing challenges. With a stable tree cover of 34.16 million hectares, Zambia's forest ecosystems are under pressure. This trend calls for a deeper understanding of environmental impacts and sustainable practices to mitigate further loss.