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1 Nov 2024

Ecuador Grapples with Tree Cover Loss Amid Recent Fire Incident in Manabí
Ecuador Grapples with Tree Cover Loss Amid Recent Fire Incident in Manabí

Ecuador has witnessed a significant tree cover loss over the years, with the latest incident being a fire alert in the Manabí region. The country, with an area of over 25.60 million hectares, has a substantial tree cover extent of approximately 19 million hectares. However, the historical data reveals a concerning trend of deforestation, primarily driven by shifting agriculture, which accounts for the majority of tree cover loss.

From 2001 to 2022, Ecuador experienced an alarming tree cover loss totaling over 494,949 hectares. Shifting agriculture remained the predominant cause, followed by other factors such as forestry, urbanization, and wildfires. The impact of these losses is evident in the net change in tree cover, which shows a decrease of 276,381 hectares, translating to a -1.50% change.

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The year 2022 alone saw a tree cover loss of over 52,577 hectares, with shifting agriculture again playing a significant role. While the data for wildfires in 2022 is not available, the single fire incident reported in Manabí in 2024 underscores the ongoing challenges Ecuador faces in preserving its forests.

The loss of tree cover has implications not only for biodiversity and ecosystems but also for carbon emissions, with millions of metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent being released into the atmosphere over the years. As the country continues to tackle these environmental concerns, the recent fire alert serves as a reminder of the persistent threats to Ecuador's natural heritage.

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