In the face of environmental challenges, Turkey has experienced a complex interplay of tree cover loss and gains over the past two decades. The country, spanning over 78 million hectares, has a significant tree cover extent of approximately 10 million hectares. Analysis of historical data reveals a fluctuating pattern of tree cover loss attributed to various drivers, excluding the impact of wildfires, which remains unquantified.
From 2001 to 2022, the total tree cover loss in Turkey amounted to over 534,000 hectares, with forestry activities being the predominant cause. In contrast, urbanization and shifting agriculture contributed to a smaller fraction of the loss. Despite these losses, Turkey has seen a net positive change in tree cover. The net gain, calculated after accounting for both losses and disturbances, stands at approximately 88,766 hectares, indicating a resilience in the country's tree cover.
Explore country profileThe latest incident data from Sivas, Turkey, reports a single fire alert, underscoring the ongoing threat of disturbances to forested areas. However, the overall trend in Turkey shows a net positive change of 0.65% in tree cover, suggesting that gains are outpacing losses. This dynamic between loss and regeneration is critical for understanding the health and sustainability of Turkey's forests and their role in the global ecosystem.
