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10 Sept 2024

Canada Battles Wildfires Amidst a Decline in Tree Cover and Rising Forest Disturbances
Canada Battles Wildfires Amidst a Decline in Tree Cover and Rising Forest Disturbances

Canada has recently faced a wildfire incident in Saskatchewan, reflecting a broader trend of environmental challenges. Over the past two decades, Canada has experienced a net loss in tree cover, with a 2.76% decrease in stable tree cover areas. The country's vast forested lands, encompassing over 418 million hectares, have been subject to significant disturbances, with forestry activities and wildfires being the primary drivers of tree cover loss.

Analysis of historical data reveals that wildfires have consistently been a major factor, contributing to over 50% of the total tree cover loss in several years. The year 2022 alone saw wildfires account for approximately 55% of the tree cover loss, with forestry activities contributing around 44%. Urbanization and shifting agriculture have had a minimal impact in comparison.

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The net change in tree cover indicates a loss of over 25 million hectares, only partially offset by a gain of nearly 17 million hectares, leading to a net negative balance. The disturbance factor, which includes natural and human-induced events, has affected nearly 15 million hectares, further exacerbating the loss of tree cover.

As Canada continues to manage its forest resources, the recent incident in Saskatchewan serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against wildfires and the importance of sustainable forestry practices to mitigate tree cover loss and its associated impacts on the environment.

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