Despite these losses, there has been a positive net change in tree cover. The stable tree cover area remains at over 12 million hectares, with a net gain of approximately 88,766 hectares when accounting for both losses and gains. This indicates a 0.65% change in tree cover, suggesting a slow yet positive trajectory towards recovery and sustainability.
The latest incident data from August 2024 reports a single fire alert in the Muş region of Turkey, underscoring the ongoing challenges that natural disturbances pose to forested areas. These incidents, although not extensively covered in the historical data, are a reminder of the ever-present risk of wildfires and their potential impact on tree cover.
As the country continues to balance forestry, agriculture, and urban development with environmental conservation, the data provides a crucial insight into the health of Turkey's forests. It is a call to consider the long-term implications of land use and the importance of sustainable practices to ensure the preservation and growth of tree cover for future generations.
