Australia has recently faced a wildfire incident in Queensland, reflecting a broader trend of environmental challenges. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced significant fluctuations in tree cover loss, with a notable peak in 2020 when over 2.35 million hectares were lost. Wildfires have been a major driver of this loss, alongside other factors such as forestry, shifting agriculture, and urbanization.
The data indicates that while there has been some tree cover gain, the net change remains negative, with a loss exceeding 916,000 hectares. This represents a 1.03% decrease in tree cover, a concerning trend for the country's biodiversity and ecological balance. The impact of these changes is multifaceted, affecting not only the natural habitats but also contributing to gross emissions of CO2, with the year 2020 marking the highest emissions at over 685 million metric tons.
Explore country profileAustralia's tree cover extent, which stands at over 42 million hectares, is a critical component of its natural heritage. The persistent loss of tree cover due to wildfires and other factors calls for a deeper analysis of the underlying causes and a concerted effort to mitigate these losses. As the latest incident in Queensland shows, the threat of wildfires remains ever-present, posing a significant challenge to the country's environmental stewardship.
