11 Sept 2024

Paraguay's Forests Under Threat: A Decade of Loss and a Single Day's Fire Alert
Paraguay's Forests Under Threat: A Decade of Loss and a Single Day's Fire Alert

Paraguay

In a concerning trend, Paraguay has experienced significant tree cover loss over the past two decades. The total area of tree cover in Paraguay stands at approximately 24.30 million hectares, which has seen a net decline of nearly 5.20 million hectares, marking a 24.70% decrease. The primary drivers of this loss have been shifting agriculture, which accounts for a substantial portion of the deforestation, followed by forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization.

The most recent incident in the Alto Paraná Department, where a fire alert was recorded on September 11, 2024, is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Paraguay's forests. Wildfires have been a persistent issue, contributing to both the loss of tree cover and carbon emissions. Over the years, the loss due to wildfires has fluctuated, with some years seeing significant spikes.

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The data indicates that shifting agriculture remains the most significant factor, with the highest recorded loss in 2017, where it was responsible for over 83,000 hectares of deforestation. Forestry activities have also played a role, though to a lesser extent. Urbanization, while contributing the least to tree cover loss, shows a gradual increase over the years, reflecting the expanding human footprint.

This trend of tree cover loss has serious implications for carbon emissions, biodiversity, and the overall health of Paraguay's ecosystems. The single fire alert in Alto Paraná may seem minor in comparison to the broader historical data, but it serves as a reminder that the threat to Paraguay's forests is ongoing and multifaceted.

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Deforestation trends in Paraguay over the last 20 years.View all history

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Paraguay's Forests Under Threat: A Decade of Loss and a Single Day's Fire Alert
Paraguay's Forests Under Threat: A Decade of Loss and a Single Day's Fire Alert

Paraguay Battles Deforestation: A Look at the Alarming Decline in Tree Cover

Get Customized Deforestation Report.

Paraguay's Forests Under Threat: A Decade of Loss and a Single Day's Fire AlertParaguay's Forests Under Threat: A Decade of Loss and a Single Day's Fire Alert

Paraguay Battles Deforestation: A Look at the Alarming Decline in Tree Cover

Get Customized Deforestation Report.

Paraguay's Forests Under Threat: A Decade of Loss and a Single Day's Fire Alert
Paraguay's Forests Under Threat: A Decade of Loss and a Single Day's Fire Alert