South Africa Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Wildfires

South Africa Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Wildfires

Over the past two decades, South Africa has witnessed a significant increase in tree cover loss, with a net loss of approximately 141,776 hectares, marking a change of -1.86%. The country, which boasts an area of over 121 million hectares, has seen its tree cover extent reduced to around 5.98 million hectares. The primary drivers of this decline include shifting agriculture, forestry activities, urbanization, and wildfires, with forestry being the most significant contributor.

Shifting agriculture and forestry alone have accounted for substantial portions of tree cover loss, with forestry activities responsible for the majority of the loss. Urbanization, although contributing to a lesser extent, has been a consistent factor in the reduction of tree cover. Wildfires, while not the leading cause, have also played a role in this environmental challenge, with recent incidents highlighting the ongoing threat to South Africa's natural landscape.