Over the years, the impact of shifting agriculture has been profound, with millions of hectares of trees lost and corresponding emissions of CO2 equivalent. Wildfires, while contributing less to the total tree cover loss, have nonetheless been a consistent threat, compounding the environmental degradation.
The net change in tree cover reflects a loss of over 3.90 million hectares, with a modest gain of approximately 617,000 hectares. Disturbances have affected over 2.70 million hectares, leading to a net negative change of over 3.30 million hectares, marking a decrease of around 5.60% in tree cover stability.
The situation in Bolivia is a stark reminder of the broader global struggle against deforestation and habitat loss. As wildfires continue to rage, the loss of tree cover not only threatens biodiversity but also exacerbates climate change challenges, making it imperative to address the root causes of these environmental crises.