Madagascar Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Recent Fire Incident

Madagascar Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Recent Fire Incident

Madagascar, known for its unique biodiversity, is facing a significant challenge with the escalation of tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, the country has seen a steady increase in tree cover loss, primarily driven by shifting agriculture. This practice alone has been responsible for the vast majority of the loss, with other factors like forestry and wildfires contributing to a lesser extent.

The data reveals a worrying trend, with a net loss of over 1 million hectares of tree cover, which is approximately 6% of the total tree cover extent. This loss not only threatens the island's rich ecosystems but also contributes to the release of millions of metric tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change impacts.