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22 Dec 2024

Australia Battles Escalating Wildfires as Tree Cover Loss Intensifies
Australia Battles Escalating Wildfires as Tree Cover Loss Intensifies

Australia is facing a critical environmental challenge as wildfires continue to escalate, contributing significantly to the country's tree cover loss. Over two decades, the data reveals a worrying trend of increasing tree cover loss, with a notable spike in recent years. The country's tree cover extent, initially at over 42 million hectares, has seen a fluctuating pattern of deforestation due to various drivers, including shifting agriculture, forestry, urbanization, and predominantly, wildfires.

The impact of wildfires has been particularly severe, with incidents causing the most substantial portion of tree cover loss annually. In 2020, wildfires accounted for a staggering 83% of the total tree cover loss, highlighting the scale of the crisis. The year 2019 also saw an unprecedented loss due to wildfires, which constituted nearly 80% of the total deforestation that year.

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Despite efforts to recover lost tree cover, the net change remains negative. The data shows a net loss of over 916,000 hectares, indicating that the rate of tree cover gain is not keeping pace with the losses incurred. This net loss represents a 1.03% decrease in tree cover, a significant figure considering Australia's vast land area.

The latest incident from Victoria underscores the ongoing struggle, with a recent wildfire alert adding to the country's environmental woes. As Australia grapples with these challenges, the focus on sustainable land management and wildfire prevention becomes increasingly critical in preserving its natural heritage.

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