Brazil Loses Natural Vegetation, Increasing Extreme Weather Risk
Summary
Brazil has lost more than double the area of France in natural vegetation over the past four decades, raising the risk of droughts, floods and wildfires linked to El Niño. A new MapBiomas study says deforested and agricultural areas are being hit differently by extreme weather, while the Brazilian government and farming groups warn of major impacts on crops and rainfall.
Key Points
- Brazil’s natural vegetation has fallen from 79% of its land area four decades ago to 65% today, according to MapBiomas.
- The loss has hit the Amazon rainforest and Cerrado savanna hardest, with more land converted to agriculture and livestock.
- MapBiomas says land cleared for farming is experiencing stronger climate impacts during El Niño, including reduced rainfall in the Amazon.
- Brazil’s government and the CNA warn that a very strong El Niño could damage major crops and intensify weather risks.
