Madagascar has recently recorded a fire incident in the Menabe region, an event that adds to the island's significant environmental challenges. Over the past two decades, Madagascar has experienced a notable decline in tree cover, primarily due to shifting agriculture practices. This has resulted in a loss of approximately 2.03% of its tree cover extent, which stood at over 17 million hectares.
The data reveals a consistent pattern of tree cover loss, with shifting agriculture being the predominant driver, accounting for the vast majority of this decline. The impact of wildfires, although comparatively smaller, is also a contributing factor to the loss of tree cover. The cumulative effect of these losses has led to a net negative change in tree cover, with a 5.89% decrease over the observed period.
Explore country profileThe single latest fire incident, while seemingly minor with just one alert reported, is part of a larger trend of environmental degradation that poses a threat to Madagascar's rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of its people. The ongoing loss of tree cover not only impacts the local ecosystems but also has broader implications for climate change, as forests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration.
