Namibia has experienced a persistent decline in tree cover over the years, posing significant environmental challenges. The latest incident, a fire alert in the Kavango East Region on September 6, 2024, underscores the ongoing threats to the country's natural resources. Over the past two decades, Namibia has seen a net loss in tree cover of approximately 560 hectares, which represents a 0.34% decrease from the stable tree cover extent of over 150,000 hectares.
Shifting agriculture has been identified as the primary driver of tree cover loss, contributing to significant deforestation. This practice alone accounted for a substantial portion of the total tree cover loss, with other factors such as forestry also playing a role, albeit to a lesser extent. The impact of wildfires, while noted in earlier years, has not been quantified in recent data.
Explore country profileThe loss of tree cover has implications not only for biodiversity and habitat preservation but also for carbon emissions, with tens of thousands of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere as a result of these environmental disturbances. The trend of tree cover loss in Namibia is a concern that calls for attention and action to ensure the sustainability of its ecosystems for future generations.
