Botswana Grapples with Environmental Challenges as Tree Cover Changes

Botswana Grapples with Environmental Challenges as Tree Cover Changes

Botswana faces environmental challenges as recent data reveals a shift in its tree cover landscape. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a net loss in tree cover of approximately 1,268 hectares, marking a 0.71% decrease. This change is primarily attributed to shifting agriculture, which has been the main driver of tree cover loss. The most significant loss occurred in 2005, with over 49 hectares affected. While there has been some gain in tree cover, amounting to over 13,303 hectares, it has not been sufficient to offset the losses. The latest incident report from Ghanzi District indicates a single fire alert, underscoring the ongoing threat of wildfires to the region's vegetation. These environmental shifts pose a concern for Botswana's biodiversity and highlight the need for sustainable land management practices to mitigate further loss.