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25 Nov 2024

Benin Battles Tree Cover Loss Amid Recent Fire Incident in Atakora Department
Benin Battles Tree Cover Loss Amid Recent Fire Incident in Atakora Department

A recent fire incident in the Atakora Department of Benin has brought the nation's struggle with tree cover loss into sharp focus. Over the past two decades, Benin has experienced significant changes in its tree cover. With an area of over 11.50 million hectares, the country's tree cover extent is just over 168,500 hectares. The data reveals a net loss of tree cover amounting to approximately 358,091 hectares, which represents a 7.12% decrease from the stable tree cover baseline.

Shifting agriculture has been identified as the primary driver of this loss, responsible for a substantial portion of the tree cover decline. Urbanization, while contributing to a smaller fraction of the loss, remains a consistent factor. The absence of data on the impact of forestry and wildfires indicates that these factors have not been significant contributors to the overall tree cover loss in the recorded period.

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The latest incident of fire, although isolated, is a reminder of the ongoing environmental challenges Benin faces. The cumulative effect of these losses is not only a reduction in tree cover but also a significant release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, further exacerbating the global climate crisis.

As the world grapples with the urgent need for environmental conservation, the situation in Benin underscores the importance of sustainable land management practices to mitigate the adverse effects of agricultural expansion and urban development on natural ecosystems.

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