Mauritania faces a new environmental hurdle as a recent fire incident was reported in the Hodh El Gharbi region. This incident comes amidst a broader context of the country's struggle with tree cover loss, which has seen a net change of 710.24 hectares gained against a loss of 1.18 hectares over the years. Despite the minimal tree cover extent, which accounts for only 0.03% of the country's area, the impact of such incidents can be significant.
Analyzing historical data, it's evident that while the total tree cover loss has been negligible in recent years, the associated carbon emissions have fluctuated, with a notable increase to 2,240.15 Mg of CO2e in 2022. The absence of significant drivers such as shifting agriculture, forestry, wildfires, and urbanization in this data suggests other factors may be at play.
Explore country profileThe incident in Hodh El Gharbi serves as a reminder of the persistent environmental challenges facing Mauritania. As the country continues to monitor and address these issues, the importance of maintaining and protecting its limited tree cover cannot be overstated. The cumulative effects of even small-scale incidents can have lasting impacts on the nation's ecological balance and carbon footprint.
