Brazil Native Vegetation Cover Declines 14 Points in 41 Years, MapBiomas Data Show

Brazil · Environment

The Cerrado and Pampa biomes lost roughly one-third of their native cover within their territories.

Brazil native vegetation cover has fallen from 79% to 65% of the country in 41 years. MapBiomas data show this 14-point drop, with every biome losing ground.

native vegetation: MapBiomas measures 41 years of land-cover change

Brazil native vegetation loss was documented in the new MapBiomas collection of annual land-cover data. The satellite-based series runs from 1985 through 2025, covering 41 years of land-use change.

The dataset compares the 1985 baseline with 2025 conditions for all Brazilian biomes. Results are expressed as territorial share and hectares converted, not as a sample survey.

MapBiomas is a collaborative network that includes universities, NGOs, and technology companies. It processes satellite images to generate annual land-use maps for the entire country.

The 2025 collection is the latest in a series that has tracked land-use dynamics since the mid-1980s. Each edition refines classification algorithms using new satellite data and field validation.

According to the project’s methodology, all mapping units are cross-checked against reference samples. This approach ensures consistency across biomes and states.

The findings were first reported by G1 and Poder360, which had access to the full dataset. The new collection includes both national and biome-level breakdowns for every year in the series.

Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) operates independent deforestation monitoring, but MapBiomas provides a complementary full land-use perspective. The data are widely used by policymakers and researchers.

Amazon and Cerrado lead absolute vegetation loss

The Amazon lost 53.9 million hectares of native vegetation, the largest absolute loss. The Cerrado followed with 51.7 million hectares lost, according to the report.

The Caatinga lost 10.1 million hectares, while the Mata Atlântica lost 4.9 million hectares. The Pampa lost 4.0 million hectares over the same period.

These absolute figures highlight the scale of conversion in Brazil’s two largest biomes. The Amazon alone accounts for more than half of the total national area lost.

The Cerrado loss occurred mainly in the Matopiba region, an agricultural frontier spanning Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí, and Bahia. That area is a major producer of soybeans and cotton.

In the Amazon, deforestation has been linked to cattle ranching and land speculation. The rate of loss has fluctuated with enforcement and commodity prices over the decades.

The Caatinga, a semi-arid biome, lost 10.1 million hectares, largely due to fuelwood extraction and overgrazing. The Mata Atlântica’s loss was driven by urban expansion and small-scale agriculture.

The Pampa, a grassland biome in the south, lost 4.0 million hectares, primarily to soybean cultivation and eucalyptus plantations. These changes affect biodiversity and soil stability.

Cerrado and Pampa suffer highest proportional losses

In proportional terms, the Cerrado saw a 34% reduction in its native vegetation area. The Pampa shrank by 32% within its own territory.

The Mata Atlântica retains the smallest proportion of native cover at 32% in 2025. Across Brazil, 25 states plus the Federal District reduced their native vegetation share.

Its loss affects water regulation, as the biome feeds major river basins. The Pampa’s 32% loss is notable because it is a temperate grassland with relatively few remaining natural areas.

Conversion to annual crops has fragmented the landscape. The Mata Atlântica, despite being the most degraded, still holds critical forest fragments that support endangered species like the lion tamarin.

Conservation efforts have slowed but not reversed loss. Only Rio de Janeiro, located within the Mata Atlântica, managed to increase its natural cover, due to reforestation projects and land-use planning.

The state’s gain, at +1%, is modest but significant. The Caatinga has 61%, and the Pampa has 36%.

Agricultural conversion drives recorded land-use shifts

About one third of Brazil experienced at least one land-cover change in the 41-year period. A total of 241 million hectares changed classification between 1985 and 2025.

For 56% of that converted area, native vegetation gave way to agricultural uses. Agricultural expansion, particularly for soybeans, corn, and cattle pasture, is the primary driver.

Brazil is now the world’s largest exporter of soybeans and beef. Pasture expansion accounts for the largest share of converted land, especially in the Amazon and Cerrado.

The remaining 44% of converted area includes urban growth, mining, and infrastructure. These uses are concentrated in the Mata Atlântica and along the coast.

The data also show that natural regeneration occurred in some areas, such as abandoned pastures, but at a much smaller scale. Regeneration did not offset losses.

MapBiomas attributes the national decline to a combination of highway construction, settlement projects, and global commodity demand. These factors have historically driven the agricultural frontier westward.

Rio de Janeiro posts only net gain across states

Rio de Janeiro was the only state to record a net gain in native vegetation share, at +1%. The gain stands in contrast to the national downward trend.

National coverage declined by 14 percentage points overall during the series. The MapBiomas dataset is the single primary source for these land-cover figures.

Rio de Janeiro’s gain is attributed to the recovery of Atlantic Forest in protected areas and on steep slopes. The state has enacted stricter environmental laws since the 1990s.

The state’s success may also reflect the high level of previous degradation; with less forest left, regrowth is more measurable. Still, the +1% is the only positive result in Brazil.

These are all in the Amazon, where deforestation pressure remains high. In the south, Rio Grande do Sul, which includes the Pampa, lost 11 points.

The Cerrado states of Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Minas Gerais each lost between 15 and 20 points. This loss has global implications for climate and biodiversity.

More: Brazil news, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

What period does the MapBiomas vegetation data cover?

The data cover 41 years, from 1985 to 2025. That period is the full length of the annual land-cover series.

Which Brazilian biome lost the most vegetation in absolute terms?

The Amazon lost the most in absolute terms, with 53.9 million hectares. The Cerrado was second with 51.7 million hectares lost.

Was Brazil’s native vegetation loss uniform across all states?

No, 25 states and the Federal District reduced their native cover. Only Rio de Janeiro recorded a net gain, at +1%.

How is the native vegetation figure measured?

MapBiomas used satellite-based annual land-cover classification. The measurement compares territorial share and hectares between the 1985 baseline and 2025.

Sources: G1, Poder360, RTÉ