Tanzania has witnessed a significant decline in tree cover over the past two decades. Analysis of historical data reveals that the country has experienced a net loss of 3.80 million hectares of tree cover, which equates to an 11.30% decrease from the total tree cover extent. The primary driver of this loss is shifting agriculture, responsible for the vast majority of the decline. Other contributing factors include forestry practices, urbanization, and wildfires, although their impact is considerably less in comparison.
The trend of tree cover loss has continued into recent years, with 2022 recording a loss of over 160,000 hectares. This ongoing challenge is compounded by incidents such as the latest fire alert in the Morogoro Region, which adds to the environmental pressures facing the nation. While the incident count for this specific event stands at one, the cumulative effect of such incidents over time poses a significant threat to Tanzania's natural resources and environmental health.
Explore country profileThe loss of tree cover not only impacts the local ecosystems but also contributes to global concerns such as climate change, given the substantial amount of CO2 emissions associated with deforestation. As Tanzania continues to face these environmental challenges, the need for sustainable management of natural resources becomes increasingly critical.
