South Africa Grapples with Tree Cover Loss Amidst Rising Wildfires and Urban Expansion

South Africa Grapples with Tree Cover Loss Amidst Rising Wildfires and Urban Expansion

In South Africa, a recent wildfire incident in Gauteng has brought to light the ongoing challenges the country faces with tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, South Africa has experienced a net loss in tree cover of approximately 141,776 hectares, which represents a 1.86% decrease in tree cover extent. Notably, forestry activities have been the predominant driver of this loss, followed by shifting agriculture, which together account for a significant portion of the total tree cover loss.

The data reveals a concerning trend where the loss due to forestry activities has been consistently high, with a peak in 2017 where over 68,883 hectares were lost. Shifting agriculture also shows a substantial impact, contributing to over 22,618 hectares of loss in 2020 alone. Wildfires, although less significant in terms of hectares lost, remain a persistent threat, as evidenced by the latest fire alerts.