Recent data reveals a concerning trend in the United States, with a significant impact on the country's tree cover due to various factors, including wildfires and urbanization. Over the years, the U.S. has witnessed a net loss of approximately 1.23% in tree cover, which translates to a loss of over 17 million hectares, despite a gain of nearly 14 million hectares.
The most substantial driver of tree cover loss has been attributed to forestry activities, contributing to millions of hectares of depletion. Wildfires have also played a critical role, with recent incidents, including a fire alert in Hawaii, underscoring the ongoing threat to forested regions. Urbanization, while less significant than other factors, still contributes to the reduction of tree cover.
Explore country profileThis trend poses a challenge to the stability of U.S. forests, which cover an area of over 279 million hectares. The data indicates a pressing need for strategies to mitigate tree cover loss and enhance forest resilience against the backdrop of escalating wildfire incidents and expanding urban landscapes.
