Climate Change: Edo suffered worst tree cover loss in 2021, data shows
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Loading... - Ebuka John
- 08 Jun 2022
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Edo State suffered the largest scale of natural forest loss in Nigeria in 2021, according to new data.
Data analysed by the Global Forest Watch, an open-source web application that monitors global forests in near real-time, shows that Edo recorded a total tree cover loss of 18,200 hectare last year, followed by Cross River with a loss of 11,800 hectares.
The two states lost a massive 399,000 hectares in the last 20 years, the data shows.
Tree cover loss is the complete removal of tree cover or canopy for any reason, including human-caused loss and natural events although in some cases. The loss may be permanent or temporary.
Tree planting and preservation provide many benefits to the environment and mankind. Some of the benefits include ensuring healthy lives and promotion of well-being for all, protection against climate change, and land degradation.
Most of these trees are being destroyed through human activities in the course of finding means of livelihood.
“Nigeria has the largest mangrove ecosystem in Africa, and the Cross River mangrove is one of the most important in the country. However, indigenous fishing communities on the coast harvest mangrove wood for household domestic use, in particular for cooking and smoking fish. This has put severe pressure on mangrove forests, leading to steady deforestation,” the United Nations said in a 2020 report.
Data to show tree cover loss in states in Nigeria
What data shows
The Global Forest Watch data shows that in addition to Edo and Cross River States, and Ogun State had the third highest rate of tree cover loss in 2021 with 9,120 hectares. Read More…
