The year 2023 marked a particularly alarming rate of tree cover loss, with over 36,262 hectares affected. This represents the highest annual loss within the recorded period, with shifting agriculture once again being the primary cause. Wildfires, although not the leading cause, still pose a considerable threat to the remaining tree cover, as evidenced by the latest incident in Gambella.
The data underscores the urgency for Ethiopia to address the causes of tree cover loss and implement strategies to mitigate these environmental impacts. The ongoing loss not only threatens biodiversity and ecosystems but also has broader implications for climate change and the livelihoods of local communities.
