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13 Sept 2024

Zambia's Tree Cover at Risk: Shifting Agriculture and Wildfires Drive Significant Loss
Zambia's Tree Cover at Risk: Shifting Agriculture and Wildfires Drive Significant Loss

In Zambia, a country with a land area of over 75 million hectares, the tree cover extent is approximately 24 million hectares. However, this green canopy is under threat. Over the years, Zambia has experienced a substantial decline in tree cover, primarily due to shifting agriculture, which has been responsible for the vast majority of this loss. Wildfires, urbanization, and forestry activities also contribute to the decline, albeit to a much lesser extent.

The data reveals a worrying trend: between 2001 and 2022, Zambia lost over 3.60 million hectares of tree cover, which is a 7.30% decrease from the stable tree cover recorded. In contrast, the gain in tree cover is relatively minimal, with just over 768,000 hectares added, which does not compensate for the losses incurred.

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The most recent incident, a fire alert in Muchinga Province, underscores the ongoing challenge Zambia faces with wildfires. Although the number of incidents may seem small, the cumulative effect over the years is significant, leading to a net loss in tree cover and associated carbon emissions.

The impact of these losses is profound, not only on the environment and biodiversity but also on the climate and the livelihoods of local communities. As the country grapples with these challenges, the data underscores the need for a broader discussion on sustainable land management and conservation strategies to protect Zambia's vital tree cover.

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