South Africa has been grappling with a significant decline in tree cover over the past two decades, exacerbated by a recent wildfire incident in Free State. The country's tree cover extent spans approximately 5.98 million hectares, which is under threat due to various factors. Notably, shifting agriculture and forestry activities have been the primary drivers of tree cover loss, contributing to a substantial portion of the degradation.
Analysis of historical data reveals a worrying trend, with over 530,000 hectares of tree cover lost, while gains are recorded at approximately 388,000 hectares. This results in a net loss of around 142,000 hectares, indicating a negative change in tree cover of nearly 1.86%. The disturbances affecting the tree cover are not limited to human activities; wildfires also play a significant role, with the latest incident adding to the country's environmental challenges.
Explore country profileThe impact of these losses is profound, affecting biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on these ecosystems. The ongoing loss of tree cover in South Africa underscores the need for urgent attention to conservation and sustainable land management practices.
