Malawi has witnessed a single fire incident in its Central Region as of July 20, 2024, a stark contrast to the broader environmental challenges the country faces. Over the years, Malawi's tree cover has been significantly affected by shifting agriculture, which remains the primary driver of tree cover loss. The country, with an area of approximately 11.80 million hectares, has a tree cover extent of around 1.52 million hectares. However, the net change in tree cover has been negative, with a 7.88% decrease, indicating a loss of over 263,937 hectares and a modest gain of about 41,602 hectares.
The historical data reveals a consistent pattern of tree cover loss, with the most significant loss recorded in 2014 at over 18,587 hectares. Shifting agriculture accounted for the vast majority of this loss, emphasizing the impact of agricultural practices on the country's natural resources. The cumulative effect of these losses has resulted in substantial emissions of CO2, with years like 2020 seeing emissions nearing 6.76 million metric tons.
Explore country profileWhile the latest fire incident may seem minor, it is part of a larger narrative of environmental stress in Malawi. The ongoing loss of tree cover not only contributes to the country's carbon footprint but also affects biodiversity, water cycles, and soil health. The data underscores the need for sustainable land management practices to mitigate these losses and preserve Malawi's natural heritage.
