Madagascar has witnessed a significant decline in its tree cover over the past two decades, with the latest incident being a fire alert in the Androy region. The island nation, known for its unique biodiversity, has seen a net loss of over 1 million hectares of tree cover, which equates to a 5.89% decrease in its tree cover extent. Shifting agriculture remains the predominant driver of this loss, accounting for the vast majority of the tree cover decline. The impact of wildfires, while comparatively minimal, still contributes to the overall deforestation and habitat destruction.
The data reveals a disturbing trend of escalating tree cover loss, with the most recent year, 2022, experiencing a loss of over 256,000 hectares. This is a concerning increase from the previous year, which saw a loss of approximately 234,000 hectares. The cumulative effect of these losses has far-reaching implications for Madagascar's ecosystem, including the loss of habitat for endemic species and the disruption of local climate patterns.
Explore country profileThe fire incident in Androy, although isolated, is indicative of the broader challenges Madagascar faces in managing its natural resources. With each passing year, the pressures on Madagascar's forests grow, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to address the root causes of deforestation and to promote sustainable land management practices.
