Madagascar, known for its unique biodiversity, has been facing a significant challenge with persistent tree cover loss over the years. A recent fire incident in the Diana region underscores the ongoing environmental concerns. Analysis of historical data reveals that shifting agriculture is the predominant driver of tree cover loss, contributing to the majority of the deforestation activities.
From 2001 to 2022, Madagascar experienced a total tree cover loss of over 4.50 million hectares, which is approximately 26% of its total tree cover extent. The year 2017 marked the highest loss, with over half a million hectares affected. Despite some gains in tree cover, the net loss has been substantial, with a net change of -1,023,956 hectares, indicating a negative trend of nearly 6% over the analyzed period.
Explore country profileThe impact of these losses is not only ecological but also contributes to the carbon footprint, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions associated with the deforestation. Wildfires, although not the leading cause, have been a consistent threat, as evidenced by the latest incident. The cumulative effect of these factors poses a significant challenge to the island's ecosystem and highlights the need for concerted conservation efforts.
