The United States has recently experienced a wildfire incident in California, reflecting a broader pattern of environmental change. Over the past two decades, the country has seen a net loss in tree cover of approximately 1.23%, with a total loss of 17.47 million hectares and a gain of about 13.99 million hectares. Notably, forestry activities have been the predominant driver of tree cover loss, followed by wildfires and urbanization. The impact of shifting agriculture has been comparatively minimal.
The trend of tree cover loss has fluctuated over the years, with a peak in 2015 and a notable decrease by 2023. Wildfires have consistently contributed to these losses, with varying intensity. The recent incident in California is a continuation of this trend, highlighting the ongoing challenge of managing and mitigating the effects of wildfires on forest cover.
Explore country profileThe United States, with its vast area of over 947 million hectares, of which approximately 279 million hectares are covered by trees, faces significant challenges in balancing land use and forest conservation. The net change in tree cover indicates a disturbance in 28.37 million hectares, underscoring the dynamic nature of forest ecosystems and the need for continued vigilance in forest management practices.
