In a concerning environmental trend, South Africa has experienced significant tree cover loss over the past two decades. The country, which spans over 121 million hectares, has seen a net decrease in tree cover of approximately 1.86%. This loss equates to around 530,000 hectares, despite a gain of about 388,000 hectares over the same period.
The primary drivers of tree cover loss have been identified as forestry activities and shifting agriculture, contributing to the majority of the deforestation. Wildfires, while less significant in terms of area, have been persistent, with the latest incident occurring in the North West region of South Africa as of October 25, 2024.
Explore country profileThe impact of these losses is not just ecological but also carbon-related, with millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions associated with the deforestation. Urbanization also plays a role, albeit smaller, in the reduction of tree cover. The data underscores the need for a concerted effort to manage and mitigate the factors contributing to tree cover loss in South Africa.
