Nigeria has witnessed a persistent decrease in tree cover over the years, with the latest incident being a fire alert in Katsina. The country's tree cover extent, which stands at over 10 million hectares, has experienced a net loss of approximately 2.40 million hectares, with a mere gain of around 928,000 hectares. This represents a net change of -6.07% in tree cover. Shifting agriculture remains the predominant driver of tree cover loss, contributing to an overwhelming majority of the decrease. Urbanization, while less significant, still plays a notable role in the reduction. The impact of wildfires, although relatively small in comparison to other factors, is an ongoing concern, as evidenced by the recent fire incident in Katsina. This trend of tree cover loss has significant implications for the environment and local communities, highlighting the need for sustainable land management practices.
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