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31 Oct 2024

Brazil Battles Deforestation: A Deep Dive into Tree Cover Dynamics
Brazil Battles Deforestation: A Deep Dive into Tree Cover Dynamics

Brazil, a country with a staggering area of over 850 million hectares, has been facing significant challenges in managing its tree cover. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a net loss in tree cover of approximately 28 million hectares, representing a 5.93% change in its forest landscape. This loss is primarily attributed to shifting agriculture, which accounts for nearly 40% of the total tree cover loss, followed by forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization.

The data reveals a fluctuating trend in tree cover loss, with the highest recorded in 2016 at over 5.30 million hectares. Shifting agriculture was the predominant driver that year, contributing to nearly half of the loss. Urbanization, though the least among the drivers, still contributed to a significant CO2 gross emission over the years.

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Wildfires, a natural yet devastating phenomenon, have been responsible for a relatively small portion of the tree cover loss. However, they continue to pose a threat to Brazil's biodiversity and carbon storage capabilities. The latest incident in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, with only one fire alert, may seem minor, but it is a stark reminder of the persistent risk fires pose to the environment.

Brazil's efforts to combat deforestation and promote reforestation are evident in the gain of over 8 million hectares of tree cover. However, the net loss indicates that the battle is far from over. The country's rich biodiversity and the global climate are at stake, making it imperative to address the underlying causes of deforestation and to reinforce sustainable land management practices.

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