Russia, a nation with a vast expanse of forests covering over 761 million hectares, has been facing critical challenges with wildfires and deforestation. Analysis of data over the past two decades shows a concerning trend of tree cover loss, with the most recent incident being a wildfire in Saratov Oblast. The cumulative effect of these incidents has led to a net change in tree cover that is almost negligible, with a -0.02% change, indicating a precarious balance between loss and gain.
The predominant driver of tree cover loss has been identified as wildfires, which have consistently accounted for the majority of the loss each year. For instance, in 2022, wildfires resulted in over 3.10 million hectares of tree cover loss, contributing significantly to the country's overall environmental impact. Forestry activities also play a substantial role, with over 1.10 million hectares affected in the same year.
Explore country profileWhile the country has seen some gains in tree cover, the losses due to disturbances such as wildfires and shifting agriculture have overshadowed these efforts. The data highlights the need for enhanced strategies to manage and protect Russia's critical forest resources effectively.
