Recent data indicates a concerning trend in South Africa's environmental landscape, with significant tree cover loss and the occurrence of fire incidents. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a net loss of approximately 141,776 hectares of tree cover, which represents a 1.86% decrease in its total tree cover extent. The primary drivers of this loss include shifting agriculture and forestry activities, contributing to the majority of the tree cover decline.
In the region of KwaZulu-Natal, the latest incident data from August 11, 2024, shows a fire alert, adding to the challenges faced by the country's ecosystems. The cumulative effect of these incidents and tree cover loss has implications for biodiversity, climate regulation, and the well-being of local communities. With a total area of over 121 million hectares and a tree cover extent of around 5.98 million hectares, the impact of these losses is not negligible.
Explore country profileThe data reveals that forestry activities have been the most significant contributor to tree cover loss, followed by shifting agriculture. Urbanization and wildfires, while contributing less to the overall loss, still pose a threat to the stability of South Africa's tree cover. The country's efforts to balance economic development with environmental preservation are increasingly crucial in the face of these ongoing environmental challenges.
