Brazil, a country with an area of over 850 million hectares, has seen significant fluctuations in its tree cover over the years. The country's tree cover extent stands at approximately 519 million hectares. However, analysis of historical data reveals a troubling trend of tree cover loss, driven primarily by shifting agriculture and forestry activities. From 2001 to 2022, Brazil experienced a staggering net loss of over 28 million hectares of tree cover, which equates to a 5.93% decrease in tree cover stability.
Shifting agriculture has consistently been the leading cause of tree cover loss, contributing to nearly half of the total deforestation. Forestry activities also play a significant role, followed by urbanization and wildfires, which, while less significant in terms of area, still contribute to the overall loss. The most recent incident in Ceará, Brazil, with a single fire alert reported on December 31, 2024, underscores the ongoing challenges Brazil faces in managing its natural resources.
Explore country profileDespite a net gain of over 8 million hectares, the overall trend points to a disturbing loss of biodiversity and natural habitats. The loss of tree cover not only impacts the environment but also has far-reaching implications for climate change, given the role of forests in carbon sequestration. The data suggests a need for a more sustainable approach to land management to curb the negative trends and preserve Brazil's rich ecological heritage.
