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22 Aug 2024

Paraguay Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Wildfires
Paraguay Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss and Wildfires

In the face of a single wildfire incident in the Amambay Department on August 22, 2024, Paraguay confronts a broader environmental challenge. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a significant decline in tree cover. With an area of nearly 40 million hectares, Paraguay's tree cover extent was once over 24 million hectares. However, the nation has seen a net loss of over 5.80 million hectares, marking a 24.70% decrease in tree cover.

Shifting agriculture has been the predominant driver of this loss, accounting for a substantial portion of the deforestation. In 2022 alone, shifting agriculture was responsible for 22.40% of the total tree cover loss. Forestry activities and wildfires have also contributed to the decline, with wildfires alone accounting for 4% of the tree cover loss in the same year.

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Urbanization, while a smaller factor, has consistently added to the loss of tree cover over the years. The cumulative impact of these drivers has not only reduced the tree cover but also resulted in significant emissions of CO2 equivalent gases, further exacerbating the challenge of climate change.

The latest fire alerts underscore the ongoing threat that wildfires pose to Paraguay's environment. As the country grapples with these incidents, the data reflects a critical need for sustainable land management and environmental conservation efforts to reverse the trend of habitat loss and protect the remaining forested areas.

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