Australia's Forests Face Challenges as Wildfires and Land Use Alter Tree Cover Dynamics

Australia's Forests Face Challenges as Wildfires and Land Use Alter Tree Cover Dynamics

In a recent assessment of Australia's forest health, data indicates a complex interplay of factors impacting tree cover across the nation. Over the past two decades, Australia has experienced a net loss in tree cover of approximately 0.92 million hectares, a decline of around 1.03%. This loss is primarily driven by significant incidents such as wildfires, which accounted for the majority of the tree cover loss, and other factors including forestry activities, shifting agriculture, and urbanization.

The most striking figures emerge from the years 2019 and 2020, where wildfires led to an unprecedented spike in tree cover loss, with over 1.60 million hectares and 2.30 million hectares affected, respectively. These incidents not only altered the landscape but also resulted in substantial emissions of CO2 equivalent gases, further exacerbating the environmental impact.