Forestry activities have been responsible for the majority of the tree cover loss, followed by shifting agriculture. Wildfires and urbanization also contribute to the decline, although to a lesser extent. The impact of these losses is not only ecological but also has significant implications for carbon emissions, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere over the years.
The latest incident in the Western Cape serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats to South Africa's natural resources. The country continues to grapple with the balance between land use, conservation, and the challenges posed by climate change and human activities.
