Mexico has faced significant challenges in maintaining its tree cover, with a recent wildfire incident in Baja California highlighting the ongoing struggle. Over the years, the country has experienced a fluctuating trend in tree cover loss, with shifting agriculture being the predominant driver, followed by forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization.
From 2001 to 2022, Mexico saw a total tree cover loss of approximately 3.50 million hectares, which is about 6.60% of its total tree cover extent. Notably, shifting agriculture accounted for the majority of this loss. The impact of wildfires, while less than other factors, still contributed significantly to the overall reduction in tree cover.
Explore country profileThe latest incident on August 2, 2024, adds to the cumulative effect of these losses. Despite some gains in tree cover, the net change remains negative, with a 1.25% decrease over the analyzed period. This trend underscores the need for continued vigilance and effective management strategies to mitigate tree cover loss and preserve Mexico's valuable forest ecosystems.
