Mozambique has witnessed a significant decline in its tree cover over the past two decades. The country, which boasts an area of over 78 million hectares, has seen its tree cover extent reduced to approximately 28.90 million hectares. The primary driver of this deforestation has been shifting agriculture, accounting for the vast majority of the tree cover loss. The impact of this practice is stark, with a net loss of over 4.30 million hectares, marking a 10.21% decrease in tree cover.
The data indicates a troubling trend, with the highest annual loss occurring in 2017, where over 359,000 hectares were cleared. Urbanization, although contributing to a lesser extent, has also been a consistent factor in the loss of tree cover. Notably, wildfires, often a significant driver of deforestation, have not been reported as a cause during the observed period.
Explore country profileThis loss of tree cover has profound implications for biodiversity, soil erosion, and climate change, given the substantial amount of CO2 emissions associated with these activities. The latest incident in Sofala Province, Mozambique, where a fire alert was reported, underscores the ongoing challenges the country faces in managing its natural resources.
