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Brazil native vegetation loss increases El Niño vulnerability
Recent data from MapBiomas reveals that Brazil's native vegetation has declined to 65% of its territory over the last 41 years, a significant drop from 79% in 1985. This loss of natural cover has increased the country's vulnerability to extreme weather events driven by El Niño, such as severe droughts and intense flooding.
In the Amazon, deforestation has seen a notable decline. According to the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), deforestation in the Amazon fell by 36% between August 2025 and July 2026, reaching its lowest level in a decade. This trend is seen as a milestone for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration. However, the Cerrado biome saw a more modest reduction of 8%.
Other biomes also showed varying trends: deforestation in the Caatinga fell by 34.3%, the Atlantic Forest by 15.32%, and the Pampa by 41.7%. Despite these improvements, researchers warn that the cumulative loss of vegetation—with agricultural lands now occupying 32% of the country—continues to impact ecosystem resilience and water cycles.
Entities
Amazon · Amazon rainforest · Brazil · Cerrado · Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva · MapBiomas · National Institute for Space Research
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Deforestation in the Cerrado decreased by 8% during the same period. blogdopaulinho.com.br · mundogeo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Agricultural lands now cover 32% of Brazil, up from 18% in 1985. fr.news.yahoo.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Native vegetation in Brazil has decreased to 65% of the territory over the last 41 years. fr.news.yahoo.com · maranhaohoje.com.br · mrnews.com.br · jornalolince.com.br · baraoemfoco.com.br · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Pantanal biome recorded its driest year on record in 2024 due to El Niño effects. maranhaohoje.com.br · mrnews.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Amazon deforestation reached its lowest level in a decade under the administration of President Lula. www.memesita.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Deforestation in the Amazon decreased by 36% between August 2025 and July 2026. blogdopaulinho.com.br · mundogeo.com · www.memesita.com · jornalgrandebahia.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Deforestation in the Caatinga biome fell by 34.3% compared to the previous period. mundogeo.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The loss of native vegetation increases Brazil's vulnerability to extreme weather events caused by El Niño. fr.news.yahoo.com · maranhaohoje.com.br · mrnews.com.br · jornalolince.com.br · baraoemfoco.com.br · +1 more