Angola has recently reported a fire incident in the Cuando Cubango Province, highlighting the country's continuous struggle with deforestation and environmental degradation. Over the past two decades, Angola has experienced significant tree cover loss, primarily due to shifting agriculture, which accounts for the vast majority of the deforestation. The data reveals a disturbing trend, with a net loss of approximately 2.19 million hectares of tree cover, equating to a 4.41% decrease in the country's total tree cover.
The impact of wildfires, while comparatively smaller, is nonetheless a contributing factor to the country's deforestation. The latest incident adds to the cumulative effect of various drivers of tree cover loss, including forestry activities. Despite some gains in tree cover, the overall trend points to a loss that outpaces regrowth, with shifting agriculture remaining the predominant cause.
Explore country profileThe environmental implications of these losses are significant, as they not only reduce biodiversity and habitat but also contribute to the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. The cumulative gross emissions from tree cover loss have reached alarming levels, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to address the root causes of deforestation in Angola.
