In the face of a single recent wildfire incident in Louisiana, USA, a broader analysis of the United States' tree cover over the years reveals a concerning environmental trend. With a total land area of over 947 million hectares, the U.S. boasts a significant tree cover extent of approximately 279 million hectares. However, the country has experienced a net loss in tree cover of about 1.23%, which translates to a decrease of nearly 3.50 million hectares over the analyzed period.
Forestry activities have been the predominant driver of tree cover loss, accounting for a substantial portion of the decline. Wildfires, on the other hand, have also played a significant role, with hundreds of thousands of hectares lost to fires annually. Urbanization, while contributing to the loss, represents a smaller fraction of the overall decline.
Explore country profileThe cumulative impact of these factors has not only reduced the tree cover but has also resulted in significant CO2 emissions. The data indicates that the total gross emissions from tree cover loss have reached alarming levels, emphasizing the need for immediate action to mitigate these environmental impacts.
