In this article, we shall discuss 10 countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world. To read our detailed analysis of the global forestry industry and efforts to mitigate the risks posed by global warming, go directly and see 25 Countries With The Highest Deforestation Rates in the World.
10. Peru
Deforestation Rate: 165 kha/year
Approximately 1100 square miles of Peru’s forest becomes subject to deforestation every year. The increasing rate of deforestation in Peru is due to many reasons, including small-scale agriculture, commercial mining, and road construction. Most of its deforestation occurs illegally, precisely for unlicensed logging.
9. Sudan
Deforestation Rate: 174 kha/year
Sudan is suffering from wide-scale deforestation and forest degradation, as the rates of deforestation is rising rapidly every year. Agricultural expansion and cutting trees for fuelwood are two main reasons for the increasing deforestation in the country. This has had multiple negative consequences on the Sudan’s environment, including desertification and loss of soil nutrients due to erosion.
8. Mozambique
Deforestation Rate: 219 kha/year
Unsustainable agricultural practices and timber extraction have led deforestation rates in Mozambique to increase drastically year on year. In 2022, the country lost a large area of tree cover, leading to approximately 93.7 Mt of CO2 emissions. Due to deforestation, Mozambique faces great difficulties including a marked increase in landslides and greenhouse gas emissions.
7. Bolivia
Deforestation Rate: 289 kha/year
In recent years, Bolivia’s rate of deforestation has increased drastically. Bolivia lost approximately 0.6 million hectares of forest land in 2022. Most of deforestation in the country is driven by agricultural expansion. Bolivia’s deforestation rate appreciates each year, resulting in adverse environmental challenges for the country.
6. Argentina
Deforestation Rate: 301 kha/year
In 2010, Argentina’s forests covered around 14% of its land area. However, recently it is losing a lot of its forest land due to deforestation. There are various reasons for increasing deforestation rates in the country, including variations in climate, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss. But the most prominent cause is agriculture, mainly the production of soybeans.
5. Zimbabwe
Deforestation Rate: 309 kha/year
Annually, Zimbabwe loses approximately 0.26 million hectares of forest land and around 20% of this loss is because of the rise of the tobacco industry in the country. Since tobacco is a key cash crop in Zimbabwe, much of the deforestation occurs to grow more tobacco. With the increase in deforestation, the amount of CO2 emissions is also increasing, having a negative impact on the environment.
4. United Republic of Tanzania
Deforestation Rate: 372 kha/year
Shifting agriculture contributes to around 80% of the deforestation occurring in the United Republic of Tanzania. In total, the country has destroyed around 6.18 million hectares of its forest covers. Some other reasons that are increasing the rate of deforestation in Tanzania include unsustainable charcoal production and illegal timber trading.
3. Mexico
Deforestation Rate: 441 kha/year
Every year, Mexico destroys approximately 0.12 million acres of land for the purpose of agriculture. Deforestation leads to numerous negative environmental impacts as it causes landslides and flooding. Mexico also faces a great amount of CO2 emissions due to deforestation.
2. Australia
Deforestation Rate: 662 kha/year
Due to deforestation, the country faces a multitude of problems including mammal extinction, biodiversity loss, and carbon emissions. Australia is home to many rainforests and woodland forests. However, companies in the country engage in vast amounts of deforestation practices every year. Between 2015 and 2020, Australia destroyed around 0.4 million hectares of forests.
1. Brazil
Deforestation Rate: 1.78 Mha/year
Brazil has the highest deforestation rate in the world. The main reason for deforestation in the country is to clear land for agriculture and livestock. Many rainforests in the country have been completely eviscerated due to deforestation. Even though the rate of deforestation in the country is reducing every year, it is still ranked as the country with the highest rate of deforestation in the world.
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