Algeria Battles Wildfires Amidst Rising Tree Cover Loss and Regeneration Efforts

Algeria Battles Wildfires Amidst Rising Tree Cover Loss and Regeneration Efforts

Algeria has recently faced a wildfire incident in the Tizi Ouzou Province, highlighting the ongoing environmental challenges the country is grappling with. Over the past two decades, Algeria has experienced a fluctuating trend in tree cover loss, with a significant spike in 2017. Despite a net positive change in tree cover, the loss due to various drivers, including shifting agriculture, forestry, and wildfires, has been substantial.

The data reveals that shifting agriculture is the predominant cause of tree cover loss in Algeria, accounting for a substantial percentage of the total loss each year. Wildfires, while not the leading cause, still contribute notably to the annual loss figures. The year 2017 marked a peak in tree cover loss, with over 45,978 hectares affected, a considerable increase from previous years. This loss was primarily driven by shifting agriculture, which accounted for nearly 78% of the total loss that year.