Deforestation rises in the Cerrado
According to a report by Reuters, deforestation in Brazil's Cerrado increased by 3% to 11,022 square kilometres between August 2022 and July 2023. This marks the largest area deforested since 2015, with 75% of it occurring in the savanna of the states of Maranhao, Tocantins, Piaui, and Bahia, which is known as Matopiba. In recent years, soybean planting has surged in this region.
The Cerrado is the world's most species-rich savanna and serves as a vital habitat for threatened species. However, deforestation in this area has already hit a seven-year high last year, according to government data. This biome covers a quarter of Brazil's territory and neighbors the Amazon rainforest. It plays a significant role in mitigating climate change by absorbing a significant amount of carbon.
Deforestation in the Cerrado has reached its highest level since 2015, with half of the region destroyed since the 1970s, mainly for farming and ranching purposes. The law requires Cerrado properties to conserve at least 20% of their first growth vegetation.
