A recent fire incident has been reported in the Limpopo region of South Africa, highlighting the country's ongoing struggle with tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, South Africa has experienced a net loss in tree cover of approximately 141,776 hectares, which constitutes a 1.86% decrease in its tree cover extent. The majority of this loss is attributed to forestry activities, which account for a significant portion of the total tree cover loss and associated CO2 emissions.
Shifting agriculture also plays a substantial role in the depletion of tree cover, followed by urbanization, which, while contributing to a lesser extent, still poses a considerable impact. Wildfires, although responsible for a smaller fraction of the tree cover loss, remain a persistent threat, as evidenced by the latest fire alert.
Explore country profileThe data reveals a fluctuating yet concerning trend of tree cover loss over the years, with some years witnessing higher rates than others. The cumulative effect of these losses is a testament to the environmental challenges faced by the nation. The incident in Limpopo serves as a reminder of the ongoing environmental pressures and the need for continued vigilance and sustainable management of natural resources.
