Italy has been facing an ongoing challenge with tree cover loss over the past two decades, a trend that has significant environmental implications. The latest incident data reveals a fire alert in Calabria, Italy, as of August 15, 2024, adding to the country's environmental concerns. With an area of over 30 million hectares, Italy's tree cover extent stands at approximately 9.30 million hectares. However, the country has experienced a net loss in tree cover, with a decrease of 0.30% in stable tree cover areas.
Analysis of historical data indicates that forestry activities have been the primary driver of tree cover loss, followed by shifting agriculture. Wildfires and urbanization also contribute to the decline but to a lesser extent. The year 2019 saw the highest recorded tree cover loss, with over 59,000 hectares affected, while the subsequent years showed a slight reduction in loss magnitude.
Explore country profileThe loss of tree cover not only affects biodiversity and ecosystems but also has a direct impact on carbon emissions. The total gross emissions from tree cover loss have reached alarming levels, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere. This loss of natural carbon sinks exacerbates the challenge of climate change, highlighting the need for urgent action to mitigate further environmental degradation.
