Russia's Forests Under Threat: Wildfires Lead to Significant Tree Cover Loss

Russia's Forests Under Threat: Wildfires Lead to Significant Tree Cover Loss

Russia's vast forested landscapes are facing a critical challenge as wildfires become a leading cause of tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a substantial decline in its tree cover, with a significant portion attributed to wildfires. Analysis of historical data reveals a disturbing trend, with the tree cover loss reaching its peak in 2021 with over 6.50 million hectares affected. This figure represents a stark increase from the 1.80 million hectares lost in 2001.

Forestry activities also contribute to the decline, with millions of hectares impacted annually. The net change in tree cover shows a minimal but concerning decrease, with a net loss of approximately 176,089 hectares, indicating that the gains in tree cover are not keeping pace with the losses.