The historical data points to shifting agriculture as the primary driver of tree cover loss, accounting for a substantial percentage of the total loss each year. Urbanization also contributes significantly to the loss, though to a lesser extent than agriculture.
The cumulative effect of these losses is not only a reduction in tree cover but also a considerable release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change concerns. The data indicates that the total gross emissions from tree cover loss have been in the tens of millions of megagrams, with shifting agriculture being the predominant source.
This trend underscores the need for a broader discussion on sustainable land use and forest management practices in Nigeria. The recent fire incident in Enugu adds to the urgency of addressing these environmental challenges, as each incident further diminishes the country's natural heritage and resilience against climate change.
