Rising Wildfires and Urban Expansion Drive Tree Cover Changes in the United States

Rising Wildfires and Urban Expansion Drive Tree Cover Changes in the United States

The United States has witnessed significant shifts in its tree cover over the years, with a net loss of 1.23% of its tree cover due to various factors. The country, with an area of over 947 million hectares, has a tree cover extent of approximately 279 million hectares. A closer look at the data reveals that forestry activities have been the primary driver of tree cover loss, accounting for a substantial portion of the total loss each year.

Wildfires have also played a critical role in this decline, with incidents such as the recent fire in Hawaii, USA, highlighting the ongoing threat to forested areas. Urbanization, while contributing to a lesser extent, has consistently added to the loss of tree cover annually. Shifting agriculture, although the least among the drivers, still poses a significant impact on tree cover changes.