Peru has experienced a significant tree cover loss over the years, with the latest incident reported in Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador, on November 1, 2024. The country's total area spans over 129 million hectares, with approximately 78 million hectares covered by trees. However, this extensive tree cover has been under threat, as evidenced by the historical data showing a consistent pattern of loss due to various drivers, with shifting agriculture being the predominant cause.
From 2001 to 2022, shifting agriculture accounted for the majority of tree cover loss, with percentages ranging from 81.80% to 90.30% of the total loss each year. Forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization also contributed to the loss, but to a much lesser extent. The total tree cover loss over these two decades amounted to millions of hectares, with the highest annual loss recorded in 2020 at approximately 278,656 hectares. The net change in tree cover during this period shows a loss of over 1.19 million hectares, despite a gain of around 430,185 hectares, indicating a disturbing trend that has resulted in a net negative change of approximately 0.97%.
Explore country profileThe recent fire incident, although isolated, adds to the ongoing challenge of preserving Peru's natural resources. The data underscores the need for a broader discussion on sustainable land management and the protection of forested areas to mitigate further loss and its impact on the environment and biodiversity.
