Peru has been facing significant environmental challenges, as recent data reveals a persistent loss of tree cover in the country. Over the past two decades, Peru has experienced a net loss of approximately 762,198 hectares of tree cover, which constitutes around a 0.97% decrease from its original tree cover extent. Shifting agriculture remains the primary driver of this loss, contributing to over 80% of the total deforestation.
The latest incident from September 12, 2024, indicates a fire alert in the Madre de Dios region, a biodiverse area known for its vast rainforests. This single incident reflects a broader trend of environmental stress in the country. While the net change in tree cover shows a slight gain of 430,186 hectares, this is overshadowed by the larger scale of loss and disturbance, which amounts to over 3 million hectares.
Explore country profilePeru's rich biodiversity and extensive forest areas are crucial for carbon sequestration, and the ongoing loss of tree cover could have severe implications for global climate change mitigation efforts. The country's struggle with wildfires and shifting agriculture practices underscores the need for sustainable land management and conservation strategies to preserve its precious ecosystems for future generations.
