Shifting agriculture alone has led to a loss of millions of hectares of tree cover, with the highest recorded loss in 2014 at over 1.30 million hectares. Urbanization, while contributing less to the overall loss, has consistently added to the decline in tree cover each year.
The net change in tree cover shows a disturbing trend, with a net loss of over 6 million hectares when accounting for gains in tree cover. The disturbances to the tree cover have also been significant, amounting to over 14.50 million hectares.
The DRC's forests are crucial for the global ecosystem, and the ongoing loss of tree cover could have severe implications for biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of local communities. The latest fire incident in Haut-Katanga is a stark reminder of the persistent environmental challenges facing the nation.
