The United States has witnessed a significant impact on its tree cover over the past two decades, with a net loss of 3,485,991.38 hectares, marking a -1.23% change. The country's vast area of approximately 947 million hectares, with a tree cover extent of over 279 million hectares, has been subjected to various drivers of tree cover loss. Forestry activities have been the predominant cause, followed by wildfires, urbanization, and shifting agriculture.
The analysis of historical data reveals that forestry has consistently been the leading cause of tree cover loss, accounting for a substantial percentage of the total loss each year. Wildfires, too, have played a significant role, with incidents peaking in certain years, leading to significant carbon emissions and loss of tree cover. Urbanization has also contributed to the reduction in tree cover, reflecting the ongoing expansion of urban areas into previously forested regions.
Explore country profileThe latest incident data from Mississippi, USA, indicates a continued trend of wildfires, with alerts highlighting the ongoing challenges in managing and preserving forested areas. The cumulative effects of these drivers underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to forest management and land use planning to mitigate the loss of tree cover in the United States.
