Namibia has recently experienced a fire incident in the Kavango East Region, highlighting the country's ongoing struggle with tree cover loss. Over the years, Namibia's tree cover has seen a net decrease, with a total loss of 15,674.13 hectares and a slight gain of 15,114.35 hectares, resulting in a net loss of 559.78 hectares. This equates to a 0.34% net change in tree cover.
Shifting agriculture has been the predominant driver of tree cover loss, contributing significantly to the total loss over the years. While the impact of wildfires has been noted, the data does not specify their contribution for each year. Urbanization and forestry have played minor roles, with the latter accounting for a small fraction of the tree cover loss and associated CO2 emissions.
Explore country profileThe latest fire incident, although isolated, serves as a reminder of the environmental challenges Namibia faces. The country's tree cover extent is a mere 0.01% of its total area, emphasizing the importance of addressing the drivers of tree cover loss to safeguard its natural heritage.
