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26 Jul 2024

Swaziland Grapples with Tree Cover Loss and Fire Incidents
Swaziland Grapples with Tree Cover Loss and Fire Incidents

Swaziland, a nation with an area of over 1.70 million hectares, has been facing significant challenges with tree cover loss and related fire incidents. The country's tree cover extent, which stands at approximately 469,227 hectares, has seen a net change in tree cover marked by a 3.03% decrease. Over the years, the main drivers of tree cover loss have been identified as shifting agriculture and forestry activities, contributing to a substantial part of the carbon emissions from this loss.

Recent data indicates a single fire incident in the Mpumalanga region of South Africa, which is part of the broader challenges Swaziland is contending with. The trend over the years shows a fluctuation in tree cover loss, with notable peaks in certain years. For instance, 2009 saw a significant spike with over 10,000 hectares lost, while other years like 2018 experienced lower rates of loss.

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The impact of these losses is not only environmental but also has implications for the country's carbon footprint. While the data on urbanization as a driver is not available, the consistent presence of wildfires, although minor in comparison to other drivers, adds to the overall concern for the country's natural resources.

Swaziland's struggle with tree cover loss is a call to attention for the need to balance agricultural practices and forestry management with environmental conservation efforts. The recent fire incident, while small, is a reminder of the persistent risks and challenges that come with natural resource management.

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