China's Forests Under Threat: A Comprehensive Analysis of Tree Cover Dynamics

China's Forests Under Threat: A Comprehensive Analysis of Tree Cover Dynamics

China, a country with an extensive forest area of over 938 million hectares, has experienced significant fluctuations in tree cover over the past two decades. Analysis of historical data reveals a complex interplay of factors affecting the country's forests, with forestry activities, shifting agriculture, wildfires, and urbanization being the primary drivers of tree cover loss.

From 2001 to 2022, China witnessed a total tree cover loss of approximately 10.50 million hectares, which constitutes around 6.50% of its total tree cover extent. Forestry activities have been the dominant cause, accounting for nearly 90% of the loss. Shifting agriculture, though less significant, still contributed to around 1% of the tree cover loss. Wildfires, although sporadic, have also played a role, particularly in regions like Fujian, where the latest incident was reported on December 3, 2024.