MapBiomas reports show significant vegetation loss in Peru and Mexico

Recent data from the MapBiomas initiatives in Peru and Mexico reveal significant transformations in natural landscapes over the last four decades (1985–2025).

In Peru, the country has lost 3.7 million hectares of natural vegetation, a 4% reduction from 1985 levels. This loss coincides with a 53% increase in land used for human activities, totaling 4.3 million additional hectares. Mining has seen the most dramatic proportional growth, increasing by 2,510% nationally, with a 190-fold increase in the Amazon region. The department of Madre de Dios accounted for 57% of the nation's mining surface in 2025. Additionally, agricultural areas grew by 50%, and urban surfaces expanded by 168%.

In Mexico, the MapBiomas Mexico network reports a loss of 4.1 million hectares of native vegetation over the same period. During this time, agricultural, livestock, and urban areas expanded by 3.9 million hectares, representing an 8% increase. The data, produced through satellite imagery and machine learning by specialists from 23 institutions including UNAM, aims to identify regional patterns of territorial transformation and infrastructure growth.