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16 Aug 2024

Australia Battles Escalating Wildfires as Tree Cover Loss Intensifies
Australia Battles Escalating Wildfires as Tree Cover Loss Intensifies

Australia is facing an alarming increase in wildfire incidents, with the latest report indicating a single fire alert in the Northern Territory as of August 16, 2024. Over the past two decades, the country has seen a significant fluctuation in tree cover loss due to various drivers, including shifting agriculture, forestry, urbanization, and predominantly wildfires.

The data reveals that while Australia's tree cover extent spans over 42 million hectares, the country has experienced a net loss of approximately 917,000 hectares, marking a 1.03% decrease in tree cover. Notably, wildfires have been the leading cause of tree cover loss, contributing to over 50% of the total loss in recent years. This trend peaked dramatically in 2020, with wildfires accounting for nearly 83% of the tree cover loss that year.

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Forestry activities have also played a substantial role, followed by shifting agriculture and urbanization. The cumulative effect of these drivers has led to a significant release of carbon emissions, with the year 2020 witnessing the highest emissions at over 685 million metric tons.

The ongoing challenge of wildfires and tree cover loss presents a critical concern for Australia's environmental health and carbon balance. The country continues to grapple with the consequences of these incidents, which have far-reaching impacts on biodiversity, climate change, and the well-being of its inhabitants.

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