Bolivia has been grappling with significant tree cover loss over the past two decades, a trend that has continued with the latest wildfire incident in the Santa Cruz Department. The nation's tree cover extent, which spans over 64 million hectares, has experienced a net loss of approximately 3.94 million hectares, marking a negative change of around 5.61%. The predominant driver of this loss has been shifting agriculture, contributing to a substantial portion of the deforestation.
The data indicates a worrying trend, with the highest recorded tree cover loss in 2022, amounting to nearly 596,000 hectares. This loss has been accompanied by considerable CO2 emissions, further exacerbating the environmental impact. Wildfires, although not the leading cause, have been a persistent issue, with the latest alert highlighting a fire incident in the Santa Cruz region.
Explore country profileBolivia's struggle with tree cover loss reflects a broader challenge faced by many nations in managing natural resources and mitigating climate change impacts. The ongoing incidents underscore the need for concerted efforts to address the root causes of deforestation and to implement sustainable land management practices.
