Iraq has faced a significant environmental challenge over the years, as indicated by the latest data on tree cover and incidents. The country, with an area of over 44 million hectares, has a relatively small tree cover extent of approximately 17,504 hectares. Over the past two decades, Iraq has experienced fluctuations in tree cover loss, with a net change indicating a loss of 553 hectares but a gain of 9,456 hectares. This represents a net increase in tree cover of 8,903 hectares, which is a positive development for the country's environment.
However, the latest incident data from Basra Governorate highlights the ongoing threat of fires to Iraq's landscape. On September 1, 2024, a fire alert was recorded in the region, underscoring the need for vigilance and effective management to protect the country's natural resources. The overall trend shows a decrease in tree cover loss over the years, which suggests that the efforts to manage and possibly mitigate these incidents are having an impact.
Explore country profileWhile the drivers of tree cover loss, such as shifting agriculture, forestry, wildfires, and urbanization, were not specified in the data, the reduction in tree cover loss and the net gain in tree cover are encouraging signs. These figures reflect the complex interplay between natural and human-induced factors affecting Iraq's tree cover and highlight the importance of continued environmental monitoring and protection measures.
