Brazil’s Atlantic forest biome loses 2.4 million hectares in 40 years
Brazil’s Atlantic forest has lost 2.4 million hectares of forest in the last four decades. The figure is equivalent to an 8.1-percent reduction in the area recorded at the beginning of the time series, back in 1985.
According to a MapBiomas survey released Monday (Oct. 28), the country’s most degraded biome retains only 31 percent of its natural vegetation. Half of recent deforestation still affects areas that are over 40 years old.
“The natural vegetation of the Atlantic forest has been cleared to make way for human activities since colonization started. In 1985, the year our time series began, the biome had only 27 percent of its original forest area,” said Natalia Crusco, from the MapBiomas team.
“Since then, the rate of deforestation has varied in each of the four decades leading up to 2024. After the Atlantic Forest Law came into effect, we can actually note a slight increase in the forested area of the biome,” she added.
Native vegetation
The study reinforces the importance of policies for the conservation and recovery of native vegetation. It adds that, despite the slowdown in deforestation, the last five years have seen an average of 190 thousand hectares deforested per year. About half of the deforestation in 2024 still occurs in mature forests (over 40 years old), which carry much of the biodiversity and carbon stock and are primarily responsible for the forest’s ecosystem services.
Agriculture remains the leading force transforming the landscape. Agricultural cultivation has almost doubled in area since 1985 and today accounts for one-third (33%) of national production within the biome. Soybeans (343%), sugarcane (256%), and coffee (105%) are among the crops that have grown the most, while pastures lost 8.5 million hectares during the period.
Farming keeps expanding
Forestry has also gained ground. The area used for commercial tree farming has grown five times in 40 years and now makes up more than half of all farming in Brazil.
Besides agriculture, urban growth in the Atlantic forest has doubled since 1985, with three out of four cities (77%) expanding their urban areas.
However, more than 80 percent of municipalities in the Atlantic forest have small urbanized areas, covering less than 1 thousand hectares. Only three state capitals have more than 30 thousand hectares – São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Curitiba.
