Rising Wildfires and Urbanization Drive Tree Cover Loss in the United States

Rising Wildfires and Urbanization Drive Tree Cover Loss in the United States

The United States has witnessed a significant fluctuation in tree cover over the past two decades, with recent data indicating a net loss in tree cover despite efforts to counteract the decline. The country's total area spans over 947 million hectares, with approximately 279 million hectares covered by trees. However, the net change in tree cover reveals a loss of nearly 1.75 million hectares, with a slight gain of around 1.40 million hectares, leading to a net negative change of approximately 3.49 million hectares, marking a 1.23% decrease.

The primary drivers of tree cover loss have been identified as forestry activities and wildfires, which have accounted for the majority of the loss. In particular, wildfires have become an increasingly concerning factor, with incidents such as the recent fire alert in Louisiana underscoring the ongoing threat to the nation's forests. Urbanization has also contributed to the decline, albeit to a lesser extent than the other factors.