Madagascar has experienced a significant decline in its forest cover over the past two decades, with the latest incident being a fire alert in the Atsimo-Andrefana region. The island nation, which spans over 59 million hectares, has seen its tree cover reduced to approximately 17 million hectares. Analysis of historical data reveals that shifting agriculture is the primary driver of tree cover loss, accounting for the vast majority of the deforestation. This practice alone has led to a staggering loss of forest area and has been the main contributor to the overall 5.89% net decrease in tree cover.
The trend of tree cover loss has been persistent, with the highest recorded loss in 2017, where over 510,000 hectares were affected. Although incidents such as wildfires have contributed to this loss, they represent a minor fraction compared to the impact of shifting agriculture. The cumulative effect of these losses has been profound, with a net loss of over 1 million hectares of tree cover, despite some gains from reforestation efforts.
Explore country profileThe recent fire incident, although isolated, is a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Madagascar's forests. The country's rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems are under threat, and the continued loss of tree cover could have severe implications for the environment and local communities. The data underscores the need for sustainable land management practices to mitigate further loss and encourage forest recovery.
