Brazil, a country with a staggering 850 million hectares of land, has witnessed significant changes in its tree cover over the years. With over 519 million hectares of tree cover, the nation has faced a net loss of approximately 36 million hectares, which translates to a 6.90% decrease from its original cover. This loss is primarily attributed to shifting agriculture, which accounts for nearly 40% of the total deforestation, followed by forestry activities contributing to around 10%.
The latest incident in the State of São Paulo underscores the ongoing challenge Brazil faces with wildfires, which, although they represent a smaller fraction of the total loss, have persistent and damaging effects on the environment. The data over the years reveal a disturbing trend of tree cover loss, with the highest recorded in 2016, amounting to over 5 million hectares. Despite some fluctuations, the trend has not shown a significant reversal, indicating the need for continued attention and action to protect Brazil's vital tree cover.
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