Over the years, the cumulative effect of these drivers has led to a net decrease in tree cover. The country has seen a net loss of over 2.80 million hectares, which is a 7.30% change from the original cover. This loss is not only a concern for the environment but also has implications for the country's carbon emissions, as the lost tree cover would have served as a carbon sink.
The latest incident from August 30, 2024, in the Western Province of Zambia, adds to the growing list of fire alerts in the country. While the number of incidents may vary from year to year, the consistent pattern of tree cover loss highlights the need for attention to the underlying causes to mitigate future losses.
