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14 Aug 2024

Bolivia Battles Rising Deforestation as Santa Cruz Department Faces New Fire Incident
Bolivia Battles Rising Deforestation as Santa Cruz Department Faces New Fire Incident

Bolivia has witnessed a significant increase in tree cover loss over the past two decades, with the latest incident being a fire alert in the Santa Cruz Department. The country, which boasts an area of over 108 million hectares, has seen a decline in its tree cover extent, which currently stands at approximately 64.50 million hectares. Analysis of historical data reveals a worrying trend, with a net loss in tree cover of over 3.30 million hectares, marking a 5.61% decrease from the stable tree cover.

Shifting agriculture has been identified as the primary driver of deforestation, accounting for a substantial portion of the tree cover loss. In 2022 alone, shifting agriculture was responsible for approximately 26.34% of the total tree cover loss. Wildfires also pose a significant threat, with incidents such as the recent one in Santa Cruz underscoring the ongoing challenges Bolivia faces in preserving its forests.

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The cumulative impact of these factors is profound, with the loss of tree cover not only affecting the natural landscape but also contributing to the emission of nearly 298 million metric tons of CO2e in 2022. The trend over the years has shown a fluctuating pattern of tree cover loss, with some years experiencing particularly high losses, such as in 2019 and 2020, where the figures reached over 852,000 and 429,000 hectares respectively.

The recent fire incident in Santa Cruz serves as a reminder of the persistent threat of wildfires to Bolivia's forests. With the country grappling with the consequences of deforestation, the focus is now on how to effectively manage and mitigate these incidents to protect the remaining tree cover and ensure the sustainability of Bolivia's natural resources.

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