Zambia has experienced a significant loss of tree cover over the past two decades, with the latest incident report indicating a fire alert in the Southern Province as of November 4, 2024. The country, which spans over 75 million hectares, has a tree cover extent of approximately 32% of its total land area. However, the net change in tree cover has been negative, with a 7.30% decrease, equating to a loss of over 3.60 million hectares and a modest gain of approximately 768,000 hectares.
The primary driver of tree cover loss has been shifting agriculture, responsible for the vast majority of the reduction. This practice alone accounted for an overwhelming percentage of the loss, with other factors such as urbanization, wildfires, and forestry contributing to a lesser extent. The cumulative effect of these drivers has not only reduced the tree cover but also resulted in significant emissions of CO2 equivalent into the atmosphere.
Explore country profileThe data reveals a concerning trend of increasing tree cover loss over the years, with the highest recorded in 2021 at over 200,000 hectares. The impact of this loss is multifaceted, affecting biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of local communities. The recent fire incident, albeit small in scale, adds to the ongoing challenge of managing Zambia's natural resources sustainably.
