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6 Sept 2024

Madagascar Battles Rising Deforestation Rates, with Shifting Agriculture as Major Culprit
Madagascar Battles Rising Deforestation Rates, with Shifting Agriculture as Major Culprit

Madagascar, known for its unique biodiversity, faces a significant challenge with increasing deforestation rates primarily driven by shifting agriculture practices. Over the years, the island nation has seen a substantial loss of its tree cover. Analysis of historical data reveals a disturbing trend of forest loss, with shifting agriculture accounting for the vast majority of this decline.

From 2001 to 2022, Madagascar experienced a total tree cover loss of over 4.70 million hectares, which is approximately 27.50% of its total tree cover extent. Shifting agriculture alone was responsible for over 99% of the tree cover loss, highlighting the critical impact of this practice on the country's forests. Other contributors like forestry and wildfires played a much smaller role in comparison.

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The net change in tree cover further underscores the severity of the situation. The island has seen a net loss of over 1 million hectares, which translates to a 5.89% decrease in tree cover. This deforestation has not only ecological consequences but also significant carbon emissions, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere.

The latest incident data from September 2024 indicates a fire alert in the Sofia region of Madagascar, adding to the ongoing environmental pressures. As the country grapples with these challenges, the focus on sustainable practices and conservation efforts becomes increasingly crucial to safeguard Madagascar's precious natural heritage.

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