Deforestation in Brazil started from the colonization process implemented by the Portuguese. Since then, much of the country's vegetation has been cleared.
Brazil has six different types of forests: the Atlantic Forest, the Caatinga, the Cerrado, the Araucaria Forest, the Pantanal and the Amazon Forest. Among them, only the Amazon Forest has a relative degree of preservation, despite the increase in deforestation in recent years.
The forest in Brazil that suffered most from the devastation was the Atlantic forest. As it is located on the coast of the country, it ended up becoming the first place for the occupation of society. Thus, it is estimated that only 7% of the original Atlantic Forest vegetation remains.
The Atlantic Forest is already almost completely devastated
O thick also suffered from deforestation, currently around 20% of the original vegetation remains. Its destruction began in the 18th century, when the colonizers began to occupy this territory. However, it was from the mid-twentieth century that the devastation of this forest took place more intensely, with the expansion of agricultural and livestock activities.
Soybean plantations take over the space that was previously only Cerrado
Currently, the Amazon rainforest, as it is currently the most preserved area, it has been suffering more and more from the growth of deforestation. The main reason is the expansion of agricultural frontier from the country.
agricultural frontier it is the area of expansion of human activities, especially in agriculture, on forests and natural resources.
The Amazon Forest began to suffer from deforestation in the 1970s, when the Transamazon Highway was built. After that, much of its area began to be destroyed for agricultural practices and cattle raising.
Deforestation in the Amazon is increasing
It is estimated that, throughout Brazil, 21,000 km² of forests are destroyed each year. This area is equivalent to the state of Sergipe. In addition to improving our environmental awareness and not deforesting forests, we need to demand of our rulers the end of this destruction, through measures of control, monitoring and surveillance.
By Rodolfo Alves Pena
Graduated in Geography
