The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported a single fire incident in the Haut-Katanga region on August 20, 2024, underscoring the nation's continued struggle with environmental disturbances. Over the past two decades, DRC has experienced significant tree cover loss, primarily due to shifting agriculture, which accounts for the vast majority of the damage. The data reveals a net loss of 6,001,904.69 hectares of tree cover, equating to a 3.55% decrease from the stable tree cover extent. The year 2014 marked the highest recorded loss with over 1.33 million hectares affected. Despite a slight decrease in the following years, the loss remains substantial, with over 1.22 million hectares reported in 2022. The impact of this loss is profound, not only on the carbon cycle, as evidenced by the gross emissions of CO2, but also on biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities. The latest fire incident, while isolated, is a reminder of the ongoing environmental challenges faced by the DRC.
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