As Brazil grapples with these environmental challenges, the data serves as a stark reminder of the need for concerted efforts to protect and restore these vital ecosystems.
Brazil, a country with an area of over 850 million hectares, has experienced significant tree cover loss over the past two decades. The latest incident data shows a fire alert in the State of Maranhão, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the nation's forests. Analysis of historical data reveals that shifting agriculture is the leading driver of tree cover loss, followed by forestry activities. Notably, the country has seen a net loss of over 28 million hectares of tree cover, which equates to a 5.93% decrease in tree cover since records began.
The impact of these losses is profound, with the total CO2e gross emissions from tree cover loss amounting to billions of megagrams, exacerbating global climate change concerns. Wildfires, while contributing to a smaller portion of the tree cover loss, remain a persistent threat, as evidenced by the recent fire alert. Urbanization also continues to chip away at Brazil's forests, underscoring the multifaceted nature of the issue.
Explore country profileAs Brazil grapples with these environmental challenges, the data serves as a stark reminder of the need for concerted efforts to protect and restore these vital ecosystems.
