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14 Aug 2024

Tanzania's Tree Cover Faces Threats: Shifting Agriculture and Wildfires Impact
Tanzania's Tree Cover Faces Threats: Shifting Agriculture and Wildfires Impact

Tanzania has experienced significant environmental changes over the years, with the latest incident data revealing a single fire alert in the Kigoma Region as of August 14, 2024. This incident is a part of a broader trend of tree cover loss that has been affecting the nation's vast landscapes. Tanzania, with an area of approximately 94 million hectares, has a tree cover extent of over 26 million hectares.

An analysis of historical data shows that shifting agriculture has been the predominant driver of tree cover loss in Tanzania, contributing to a substantial portion of the deforestation. From 2001 to 2022, the country lost over 4.30 million hectares of tree cover, which equates to a net loss of about 11.30% when considering gains from reforestation efforts. The loss due to shifting agriculture alone accounts for a staggering majority of this figure.

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Wildfires, while not the leading cause, have also played a role in the depletion of Tanzania's tree cover. The cumulative effect of these incidents, alongside other factors such as forestry practices and urbanization, has led to significant carbon emissions, further exacerbating the impact on the environment.

The situation in Tanzania highlights the complex interplay between natural resources and human activity, with the need for sustainable practices becoming increasingly evident. The country's struggle with tree cover loss is a microcosm of the global challenge of balancing development with environmental conservation.

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