Peru Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Wildfire Incidents

Peru Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Wildfire Incidents

Peru is confronting a significant challenge with the escalation of tree cover loss and wildfire incidents. Over the past two decades, the country has seen a disturbing trend of increasing deforestation, primarily driven by shifting agriculture, which accounts for the majority of tree cover loss. The data reveals a net loss of approximately 1.19 million hectares of tree cover, which is a concerning figure given the total area of Peru's tree cover stands at around 78 million hectares.

The impact of wildfires, although less than that of shifting agriculture, has been notable. In the latest incident, a fire alert was reported in the Cajamarca region, underscoring the ongoing threat of wildfires to Peru's forests. The cumulative effect of these losses is not just a reduction in tree cover but also a significant release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.