South Africa Battles Tree Cover Loss Amid Rising Wildfires and Urbanization

South Africa Battles Tree Cover Loss Amid Rising Wildfires and Urbanization

South Africa has experienced significant tree cover loss over the past two decades, with various drivers contributing to this environmental challenge. The country's tree cover extent stands at approximately 5.98 million hectares, which has been subject to disturbances and changes due to factors such as shifting agriculture, forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization.

Analysis of historical data reveals that the forestry sector has been the primary driver of tree cover loss, followed by shifting agriculture. The impact of wildfires, while comparatively lower, has been persistent throughout the years. Urbanization has also played a role, albeit to a lesser extent. From 2001 to 2022, the total tree cover loss amounted to over 1.20 million hectares, with the highest annual loss recorded in 2017 at approximately 94,000 hectares.