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24 Jul 2024

Chile Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss with Latest Fire Incident in Bio Bio
Chile Battles Escalating Tree Cover Loss with Latest Fire Incident in Bio Bio

Chile has been grappling with a significant challenge to its forestry sector, as recent data shows a persistent increase in tree cover loss over the past two decades. The latest incident, a fire alert in the Bio Bio region, underscores the ongoing threat to the country's natural resources. With an area of over 75 million hectares, Chile boasts a substantial tree cover extent of approximately 19 million hectares.

However, the figures reveal a troubling trend. Since 2001, the country has experienced a net loss of approximately 14,350 hectares of tree cover, with disturbances affecting nearly 1.80 million hectares. The primary driver of this loss has been attributed to forestry activities, which account for the vast majority of tree cover reduction and associated CO2 emissions.

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Wildfires, while contributing to a lesser extent, have also played a role in the depletion of Chile's forests. Urbanization, although responsible for a smaller fraction of the loss, remains a consistent pressure on tree cover. The cumulative impact of these factors has led to a net change in tree cover of -0.08%, a seemingly small percentage that nonetheless represents a significant loss in terms of biodiversity and environmental stability.

The incident in Bio Bio is a reminder of the fragility of Chile's forests and the need for ongoing vigilance and sustainable management practices to protect these vital ecosystems for future generations.

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