Brazil, a country with a staggering area of over 850 million hectares, has been facing a significant challenge with its forest cover. The nation's tree cover, which extends over 519 million hectares, has experienced a net loss of approximately 28 million hectares over the years, marking a decrease of nearly 6%. The drivers of tree cover loss include shifting agriculture, which accounts for a substantial portion, as well as forestry activities, urbanization, and wildfires.
The latest incident reported on November 9, 2024, was a fire alert in the region of Ceará, Brazil, indicating the ongoing struggle against environmental degradation. Over the years, shifting agriculture has been the leading cause of tree cover loss, with the highest recorded loss in 2016, amounting to over 2.60 million hectares. Forestry activities have also contributed significantly, with a notable peak in 2017 of over 649,000 hectares lost.
Explore country profileUrbanization and wildfires have had a lesser but still impactful role in the loss of tree cover. The data reveals a complex interplay of human activities and natural events that continue to threaten Brazil's vast and vital ecosystems. The country's net change in tree cover reflects a troubling trend that demands attention and action to safeguard its remaining forests for future generations.
