In a recent development, Nigeria has reported a fire incident in the Zamfara region, adding to the country's environmental challenges. Over the past two decades, Nigeria has experienced significant changes in its tree cover. Analysis of historical data reveals a net loss of 1,468,749 hectares in tree cover, which constitutes a 6.07% decrease from the stable tree cover of 20,636,992 hectares.
Shifting agriculture has been identified as the primary driver of tree cover loss, responsible for a substantial portion of the deforestation. Urbanization also contributes notably to the loss, reflecting the impact of Nigeria's expanding cities on natural habitats. The absence of wildfire data in the historical drivers suggests that the recent fire incident in Zamfara is an anomaly rather than a common cause of tree cover loss.
Explore country profileThe trend of tree cover loss has been escalating, with the highest recorded loss in 2017, amounting to 171,045 hectares. This loss has significant implications for the country's biodiversity, water cycles, and local climates. The recent incident in Zamfara serves as a reminder of the persistent environmental challenges facing Nigeria.
