Australia has faced significant environmental challenges over the years, with wildfires and deforestation playing a major role in the country's tree cover dynamics. The latest incident data reveals a fire alert in the Northern Territory, marking a continued trend of such events. Over the past two decades, Australia has experienced a net loss in tree cover, with a 1.03% decrease from the stable tree cover extent.
The analysis of historical data shows that wildfires have been a significant driver of tree cover loss, accounting for a substantial portion of the emissions and loss figures annually. For instance, in 2020, wildfires were responsible for over 83% of the total tree cover loss and about 76% of the CO2 equivalent gross emissions for that year. Deforestation activities, including shifting agriculture, forestry, and urbanization, have also contributed to the loss, with forestry being a significant factor, particularly in years like 2016 where it accounted for approximately 44% of the loss.
Explore country profileDespite these losses, there have been gains in tree cover as well, although not sufficient to offset the losses. The net change in tree cover indicates a loss of over 916,000 hectares, highlighting the need for a broader discussion on sustainable land management and environmental conservation in Australia.
