South Africa's latest fire incident in Limpopo adds to the country's ongoing challenge of tree cover loss. Over the past two decades, the nation has experienced a net loss of approximately 141,776 hectares of tree cover, which is a 1.86% decrease from its original extent. The primary drivers of this loss have been shifting agriculture and forestry, contributing to significant portions of the overall deforestation.
The data reveals that shifting agriculture alone is responsible for a substantial amount of tree cover loss, with forestry activities closely following. Wildfires, although less significant in terms of area, remain a persistent threat, as evidenced by the recent fire alert in Limpopo. Urbanization also plays a role, albeit to a lesser extent compared to other factors.
Explore country profileThis trend of tree cover loss has implications for biodiversity, climate change, and the livelihoods of local communities. The loss of tree cover not only affects the natural habitat for wildlife but also impacts the carbon sequestration potential of these areas, contributing to the country's greenhouse gas emissions. The recent incident in Limpopo serves as a reminder of the ongoing environmental challenges South Africa faces.
