Number is equivalent to a reduction of 8.1% of the area recorded at the beginning of the historical series; MapBiomas study reinforces the importance of conservation and recovery policies for native vegetation
The country has lost 2.4 million hectares of forest in the last four decades. The number is equivalent to a reduction of 8.1% in the area recorded at the beginning of the historical series. According to a survey by MapBiomas, released this Tuesday (28), the most degraded biome in the country maintains only 31% of its natural vegetation. Half of recent deforestation still affects areas that are more than 40 years old.
“The natural vegetation of the Atlantic Forest was suppressed to make room for human activities since the beginning of colonization. In 1985, the year our historical series began, the biome had only 27% of its original forest area”, says Natalia Crusco, from the MapBiomas team. “Since then, the rate of deforestation has been different in each of the four decades until 2024. After the promulgation of the Atlantic Forest Law, it is even possible to notice a slight increase in the forested area of the biome”, she adds.
Native vegetation
The study reinforces the importance of conservation and recovery policies for native vegetation. Between 1985 and 2024, the biome lost 2.4 million hectares of forests.
Despite the slowdown in deforestation, the last five years have seen an average of 190,000 hectares deforested per year. Around half of deforestation in 2024 still occurs in mature forests (over 40 years old), which carry a large part of biodiversity, carbon stock and are mainly responsible for the forest’s ecosystem services.
Agriculture remains the main force for transforming the landscape. Agricultural cultivation has almost doubled in area since 1985 and today occupies a third (33%) of national production within the biome. Soy (343%), sugar cane (256%) and coffee (105%) are among the crops that grew the most, while pastures lost 8.5 million hectares in the period.
Agricultural advancement
Forestry has also gained ground: the area dedicated to commercial tree cultivation has increased fivefold in 40 years and now represents more than half of all activity in the country.
In addition to agricultural advances, urban growth in the Atlantic Forest has doubled since 1985, with three in four municipalities (77%) expanding their urbanized area.
More than 80% of the municipalities in the Atlantic Forest, however, have small urbanized areas, less than a thousand hectares. Only three capitals have more than 30 thousand hectares: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba.
*With information from Agência Brasil
Published by Nícolas Robert
