Angola's Forests Under Threat: A Look at the Alarming Trend of Tree Cover Loss

Angola's Forests Under Threat: A Look at the Alarming Trend of Tree Cover Loss

Angola has witnessed a significant decline in its tree cover over the years, with the latest incident being a fire alert in the Huila Province on October 31, 2024. The country, which spans over 124 million hectares, has a tree cover extent of approximately 55 million hectares. However, the trend of tree cover loss has been alarming. Since 2001, the country has experienced a net loss of over 2.10 million hectares, which translates to a 4.41% decrease in tree cover.

Shifting agriculture has been the predominant driver of this loss, accounting for the vast majority of tree cover decline. This practice alone has led to the loss of millions of hectares of forest, significantly impacting the country's carbon emissions. Wildfires, although less significant in comparison, have also contributed to the loss, with thousands of hectares affected over the years.