South Africa has experienced a significant escalation in tree cover loss over the past two decades, with recent data indicating a concerning trend. The country's tree cover, which spans over 5.90 million hectares, has seen a net decrease of approximately 1.86%. Notably, forestry activities have been the primary driver, contributing to the majority of the tree cover loss, followed by shifting agriculture practices. Wildfires and urbanization also play a role but to a lesser extent.
In the latest incident, Gauteng, a region in South Africa, reported a wildfire alert, underscoring the ongoing challenges the nation faces with fire-related disturbances. Over the years, these incidents have not only led to the loss of tree cover but have also resulted in significant emissions of CO2, further exacerbating the environmental impact.
Explore country profileThe net change in tree cover reveals a complex situation with a loss of over 530,000 hectares, partially offset by gains of approximately 388,000 hectares. Disturbances have affected over 1.20 million hectares, highlighting the need for a focused approach to manage and mitigate the factors contributing to tree cover loss. The data presents a call to action for strategies that can address the underlying causes of deforestation and promote sustainable land management practices.
