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21 Aug 2024

Bolivia Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Wildfires in Santa Cruz
Bolivia Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Wildfires in Santa Cruz

Bolivia has witnessed a significant escalation in tree cover loss over the past two decades, with the latest incident being a wildfire in the Santa Cruz Department on August 21, 2024. The country, which boasts an area of over 108 million hectares, has seen a disturbing trend with a net change in tree cover indicating a 5.61% decrease. Shifting agriculture remains the predominant driver, accounting for a substantial portion of the tree cover loss.

The data reveals that the tree cover extent in Bolivia is approximately 64.50 million hectares. However, the country has experienced a loss of nearly 3.94 million hectares, partially offset by a gain of around 617,000 hectares. The disturbances have resulted in a net loss of over 3.32 million hectares, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

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Wildfires have also been a contributing factor, although to a lesser extent compared to shifting agriculture and forestry. The cumulative impact of these drivers has led to significant gross emissions of CO2, with the latest figures showing a worrying upward trajectory.

The incident in Santa Cruz is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges Bolivia faces in managing its natural resources. The country's rich biodiversity and the importance of its forests for carbon sequestration make it imperative to address these issues with effective strategies to mitigate tree cover loss and prevent future incidents.

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