In a recent development, South Africa has reported a fire incident in the KwaZulu-Natal region, marking a continuation of the country's struggle with tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, South Africa has experienced significant fluctuations in tree cover loss, with a net decrease of 1.86%. The country's tree cover extent spans over 5.98 million hectares, which has been subject to various drivers of deforestation.
Shifting agriculture and forestry remain the primary drivers, contributing to the majority of tree cover loss. Notably, shifting agriculture accounted for a loss of 12,134.98 hectares in 2022, while forestry operations led to 27,539.52 hectares of loss in the same year. Urbanization and wildfires also play a role, though to a lesser extent. The cumulative impact of these factors has led to a net loss of 141,776.52 hectares of tree cover.
Explore country profileThe latest fire alert underscores the ongoing challenge South Africa faces in managing its natural resources. The incident in KwaZulu-Natal is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the region's tree cover to wildfires, which have been responsible for a fraction of the total tree cover loss over the years. As the country grapples with these environmental setbacks, the focus on sustainable land use and forest management becomes increasingly critical.
