In a concerning environmental trend, Peru has experienced a significant increase in tree cover loss over the past two decades. The latest incident, a fire alert in the Lima Region, underscores the ongoing challenges the country faces in preserving its forests. With an area of over 129 million hectares, Peru's tree cover extends to nearly 78 million hectares. However, the country has seen a net loss of approximately 762,198 hectares, a change of -0.97% in tree cover stability.
Shifting agriculture remains the predominant driver of tree cover loss, accounting for a substantial portion of the deforestation. This practice alone has resulted in the loss of millions of hectares of forest cover. Wildfires, although less significant in comparison, have also contributed to the loss, alongside other factors such as forestry activities and urbanization.
Explore country profileThe cumulative impact of these losses is not only a reduction in biodiversity and habitat but also a significant release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, further exacerbating climate change. The data indicates that the incidents of tree cover loss are not abating, with recent years showing continued deforestation. This trend poses a serious threat to Peru's rich ecological heritage and calls for increased attention to sustainable land management practices.
