The United States has witnessed a significant challenge to its tree cover stability over recent years, marked by a series of incidents that have led to substantial tree cover loss. With an area of over 947 million hectares, the US had a tree cover extent of approximately 279 million hectares. However, the country has experienced a net change in tree cover characterized by a loss of around 17.50 million hectares and a gain of approximately 14 million hectares, resulting in a net loss of 3.50 million hectares, which translates to a 1.23% decrease in tree cover.
Forestry activities have been the predominant driver of tree cover loss, followed by wildfires, which have become increasingly frequent and severe. Urbanization and shifting agriculture also contribute to the landscape changes, albeit to a lesser extent. The impact of wildfires is particularly notable, with incidents such as the recent fire alert in California, highlighting the ongoing threat to the US tree cover.
Explore country profileThe trend over the years shows a fluctuating yet persistent pattern of tree cover loss, with forestry and wildfires accounting for the majority of this decline. The data underscores the need for a broader discussion on sustainable land management and the importance of protecting natural resources against the backdrop of environmental challenges.
