Bolivia has been facing a significant challenge with escalating tree cover loss over the past two decades. The latest incident, a wildfire in the Chuquisaca Department on October 29, 2024, adds to the country's environmental woes. Bolivia's tree cover extent spans over 64 million hectares, which is a substantial portion of its total land area. However, the country has experienced a net loss of approximately 3.94 million hectares of tree cover, equating to a 5.61% decrease from the stable tree cover. Shifting agriculture has been identified as the primary driver of this loss, followed by forestry activities and wildfires.
The impact of these losses is not just limited to the environment but also contributes to significant carbon emissions. The data shows a trend where shifting agriculture is consistently the leading cause of tree cover loss, with the most recent figures indicating it's responsible for over 26% of the total loss in 2022. Wildfires, although contributing less to the overall loss, remain a persistent threat, with incidents occurring annually.
Explore country profileThe loss of tree cover and the occurrence of wildfires have profound implications for biodiversity, climate change, and the livelihoods of local communities. As Bolivia continues to grapple with these environmental challenges, the focus on sustainable land management and conservation efforts becomes increasingly critical to mitigate further damage and preserve the nation's natural heritage.
