Iraq has recently experienced a fire incident in the Basra Governorate, highlighting the environmental challenges the country faces in terms of tree cover. Despite Iraq's vast area of over 44 million hectares, the tree cover extent is a mere 17,504 hectares, which is less than 0.04% of the country's total land area. Over the years, Iraq has seen a fluctuating trend in tree cover loss, with a notable net change in tree cover showing a gain of 9,456 hectares, yet a loss of 553 hectares still presents a concern for the region's ecological balance.
The incident in Basra Governorate serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of Iraq's limited forested areas. While the data does not specify the causes of tree cover loss for many years, it is evident that the country's green coverage has been under stress, with the total tree cover loss from 2001 to 2019 amounting to over 130 hectares. The net gain in tree cover is a positive sign, but the persistent incidents and losses indicate a need for ongoing vigilance and potentially enhanced conservation efforts.
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