Canada's Forests Under Threat: Wildfires and Deforestation Challenge Ecosystem Stability

Canada's Forests Under Threat: Wildfires and Deforestation Challenge Ecosystem Stability

Canada's vast forests, covering over 418 million hectares, are facing significant threats from wildfires, deforestation, and other human activities. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a net loss in tree cover amounting to approximately 8.20 million hectares, a concerning decline of 2.76%. Wildfires have been a major driver of this loss, responsible for an estimated 57% of the total tree cover loss in 2022 alone. Forestry activities also contribute significantly to the decline, accounting for around 44% of the tree cover loss in the same year.

The impact of these losses is not just limited to the environment but also to the carbon footprint of the nation. The total CO2 equivalent gross emissions from tree cover loss have been staggering, with the year 2015 witnessing the highest emissions at over 1.20 billion metric tons. Urbanization, although contributing less to the overall tree cover loss, remains a persistent issue.