Global annual tree cover loss by dominant driver, 2022 (Million Hectares)
GFW
17 Apr 2023
Global tree cover loss was primarily driven by various factors, notably commercial forestry, which accounted for a significant portion of 6.7M hectares lost in 2022. The practice of commercial forestry, aimed at meeting the demand for wood and paper products, often disrupts ecosystems and contributes to widespread deforestation. Shifting agriculture, characterized by clearing land for cultivation and then abandoning it after a few years, further exacerbates tree cover loss as fertile areas are continuously sought. The escalation of wildfires, attributed to climate change, also played a significant role in the depletion of tree cover globally, with over 22% of the tree cover loss being due to wildfires. Commodity-driven deforestation linked to mining and farming industries, where land is cleared for commodities ranging from cattle ranching to palm oil, and urbanization, driven by population growth, have also further intensified the pressure on global tree cover as consumption increases.
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