Brazil, a country with a tree cover extent of over 519 million hectares, is facing a critical challenge with deforestation, particularly due to shifting agriculture and wildfires. Over the years, the country has experienced a significant fluctuation in tree cover loss, with a notable increase in recent years. Shifting agriculture remains the primary driver, accounting for a substantial portion of the total tree cover loss. Wildfires, although contributing to a lesser extent, have also posed a serious threat to Brazil's forests.
The data reveals a concerning trend of escalating tree cover loss, with the highest recorded in 2016, where over 5.30 million hectares were lost. This represents a significant spike compared to previous years. Urbanization, while not as impactful as shifting agriculture, still contributes to the loss of tree cover. The cumulative impact of these factors has led to a net negative change in tree cover, with a decrease of approximately 6% over the analyzed period.
Explore country profileThe latest incident of wildfires in the State of Piauí underscores the ongoing struggle Brazil faces in protecting its forests. With only one fire alert reported recently, it highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and swift action to prevent larger outbreaks that could exacerbate the already critical situation of deforestation in the country.
