Australia has been grappling with the challenge of wildfires, which have contributed to a considerable loss of tree cover in the country. The latest incident on August 9, 2024, in the Northern Territory, is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle. Over the past two decades, the data reveals a worrying trend of habitat destruction due to various factors, including shifting agriculture, forestry, urbanization, and predominantly, wildfires.
From 2001 to 2022, Australia experienced a net loss of 916,553.72 hectares in tree cover, which is approximately a 1.03% decrease from the stable tree cover extent. This loss is juxtaposed against a backdrop of a total area of over 768 million hectares, with tree cover extending to roughly 42 million hectares. Wildfires have been the most significant driver, accounting for the majority of the tree cover loss each year, with the peak in 2020 when wildfires alone were responsible for over 1.95 million hectares of lost tree cover.
Explore country profileThe impact of these losses is not just environmental but also economic, as the forestry sector has seen substantial tree cover loss, contributing to the overall CO2 gross emissions. Urbanization, although a smaller factor, still plays a role in the reduction of green spaces. The data underscores the need for a broader discussion on sustainable land management and disaster mitigation strategies to preserve Australia's natural heritage for future generations.
