Peru is grappling with a significant challenge to its forest cover, as recent data indicates a persistent decline in tree cover over the past two decades. The latest incident, a fire in the Madre de Dios region, adds to the growing concern for the country's natural resources. The area of Peru's tree cover extends over 78 million hectares, which has experienced a net loss of approximately 1.19 million hectares. This loss represents a concerning decrease of nearly 1% in tree cover stability.
The primary driver of this decline is shifting agriculture, accounting for the vast majority of tree cover loss. Other contributing factors include forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization, although these represent a smaller fraction of the total loss. The year 2020 witnessed the highest recorded tree cover loss of over 278,000 hectares, with shifting agriculture once again playing a significant role.
Explore country profileThis trend not only impacts the biodiversity and ecological balance of Peru but also contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere as a result of these losses. The recent fire alert in Madre de Dios is a stark reminder of the ongoing threats to Peru's forests, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and sustainable management practices to protect these vital ecosystems.
