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19 Sept 2024

Brazil Battles with Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Recent Fire Incident in Minas Gerais
Brazil Battles with Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Recent Fire Incident in Minas Gerais

Brazil has been grappling with a significant decline in tree cover over the past two decades. The country's vast area of approximately 850 million hectares includes a tree cover extent of over 519 million hectares. However, Brazil has experienced a net loss of nearly 28 million hectares, a concerning reduction of about 5.93% in its tree cover stability.

The primary drivers of this decline have been identified as shifting agriculture, responsible for a substantial portion of the tree cover loss, and forestry activities. Wildfires and urbanization also contribute to the loss, albeit to a lesser extent. The latest incident, a fire alert in the State of Minas Gerais, underscores the ongoing challenges Brazil faces in preserving its critical forested areas.

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The cumulative impact of these losses has been profound, with the total gross CO2 emissions from tree cover loss amounting to billions of megagrams over the years. The pattern of loss has been variable, with some years witnessing particularly high rates, such as in 2016, where over 5.30 million hectares were lost.

Brazil's struggle with tree cover loss is a complex issue involving various socio-economic factors and environmental consequences. The recent fire incident in Minas Gerais is a stark reminder of the persistent threat to Brazil's biodiversity and the need for continued vigilance and sustainable management practices to protect its natural heritage.

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