In a recent environmental update, Botswana has reported a single fire incident in the North-West District, highlighting ongoing challenges in maintaining its tree cover. Over the years, the country has experienced a net loss in tree cover, which is a critical component of its natural landscape and biodiversity. Despite a tree cover extent of over 20,000 hectares, Botswana has seen a net change in tree cover with a loss of approximately 14,571 hectares and a gain of around 13,303 hectares, resulting in a net loss of 1,268 hectares. This represents a subtle yet significant change of about -0.71% in the country's tree cover.
The historical data shows that shifting agriculture has been a consistent driver of tree cover loss, although specific contributors to the loss vary from year to year. The data indicates a trend of fluctuating tree cover loss over the past two decades, with some years witnessing minimal impact, while others see more substantial losses. The environmental implications of these losses are considerable, as they affect not only the local ecosystems but also the carbon emissions, with thousands of metric tons of CO2 equivalent being released into the atmosphere as a result of this deforestation.
Explore country profileThe recent fire incident, albeit small in scale, serves as a reminder of the persistent threats to Botswana's natural resources. The country's efforts to manage and protect its tree cover are crucial in mitigating the effects of environmental degradation and climate change.
