Australia has faced significant environmental challenges over the years, with wildfires being a major cause of tree cover loss. The country, with an area of over 768 million hectares, has seen a fluctuating trend in tree cover loss due to various drivers, including shifting agriculture, forestry, urbanization, and notably, wildfires. In the two decades of data analyzed, wildfires have consistently been a leading cause of tree cover loss, contributing to millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions.
The impact of wildfires reached a peak in 2020, with over 2.35 million hectares of tree cover lost, marking a stark increase compared to previous years. This loss accounted for a significant portion of the CO2 equivalent emissions for that year. Despite efforts to recover tree cover, with gains of over 1.60 million hectares, the net change in tree cover has been negative, with a net loss of approximately 917,000 hectares.
Explore country profileThe latest incident from November 2024, with a fire alert in Western Australia, underscores the ongoing threat of wildfires to Australia's environment. The data reveals a net decrease in tree cover of over 1%, emphasizing the need for continued attention to forest management and fire prevention strategies. As Australia grapples with these environmental challenges, the global community watches closely, recognizing the broader implications for biodiversity, climate change, and ecosystem health.
