Cerrado secondary vegetation loss increases by 20% since 2017

Data from MapBiomas reveals a significant decline in the recovery of the Cerrado biome. Between 2017 and 2025, the loss of secondary vegetation—areas of deforested land undergoing natural regeneration—increased by nearly 20% compared to the 2007–2016 period.

The net balance of vegetation recovery has been steadily falling since 1987. While the municipality of Cocalinho in Mato Grosso was identified as a leader in secondary vegetation gains during this period, it remains an exception to a broader trend of loss. Much of the secondary vegetation lost in the biome is deforested again in less than a decade, which hinders full recovery and reduces carbon storage capacity.

Since 1987, the Cerrado has lost approximately 58 million hectares of native vegetation. As of 2025, original coverage stands at 99.4 million hectares, representing 49.6% of the region's total area. The loss is heavily concentrated in municipalities within the MATOPIBA region. This environmental degradation impacts the biome's role as a climate and water regulator, contributing to longer droughts and reduced river flow.