# Brazilian biome deforestation and land use trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazilian-biome-deforestation-and-land-use-trends > Updated: 2026-10-21T17:03:46.000Z. Sources: 86. Developments: 5. Reports regarding Brazilian biomes show contrasting trends in land use and conservation. Data from MapBiomas covering 1985 to 2025 indicates that the Atlantic Forest experienced significant agricultural expansion, with soybean and sugarcane cultivation increasing by 8.7 million and 5 million hectares respectively. While the biome lost nearly 10 million hectares of mature vegetation, there was a trend of environmental recovery through the regrowth of 8 million hectares of secondary vegetation. However, recent data suggests deforestation is increasingly targeting these regenerated zones; between 2021 and 2025, 60% of suppressed vegetation was secondary growth. Notably, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo were the only states to show no net loss of native vegetation over the 41-year period. In contrast, satellite monitoring from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) shows historic lows in deforestation for the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. Between August 2025 and July 2026, Amazon deforestation fell by 41.8% to 3,335 square kilometers, the lowest level since 1988. During the same period, Cerrado vegetation loss dropped by 23.8% to 5,516 square kilometers, the lowest recorded since 2001. These reductions follow the reactivation of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm) under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. An economic study by the Getulio Vargas Foundation suggests these reductions could generate approximately R$ 1.16 trillion in global economic benefits, with Brazil potentially avoiding between R$ 67 billion and R$ 192 billion in climate damages. Building on these trends, data from the Climate Observatory indicates that Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by 6% in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of decline following reductions of 12% in 2023 and 13% in 2024. Total gross emissions reached just over 2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent. ## Claims - Amazon deforestation fell by 41.8% in the last year. (disputed by 9 sources) - Deforestation has reduced by 71 percent since 2023 under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. (disputed by 5 sources) - Amazon deforestation fell to 3,335 square kilometers between August 2025 and July 2026. (corroborated by 25 sources) - The recorded Amazon deforestation rate is the lowest since satellite monitoring began in 1988. (corroborated by 23 sources) - Deforestation in the Cerrado biome fell to 5,516 square kilometers during the same period. (corroborated by 15 sources) - The Brazilian government aims to achieve zero deforestation in the Amazon by 2030. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Since 2023, environmental authorities in Brazil have conducted over 76,000 inspection operations. (corroborated by 5 sources) - During the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro from 2019 to 2022, Amazon deforestation increased by approximately 60 percent. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-21: Brazil reports third consecutive year of greenhouse gas emission reductions Brazil's greenhouse gas emissions fell 6% in 2025 due to reduced deforestation, marking three years of declines, while the nation advances its regulated carbon trading system. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-reports-third-consecutive-year-of-greenhouse-gas-emission-reductions ### 2026-10-20: Brazil greenhouse gas emissions fall by 6% in 2025 Brazil's greenhouse gas emissions fell by 6% in 2025, driven by reduced deforestation, marking the third consecutive year of decline. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-greenhouse-gas-emissions-fall-by-6-in-2025 ### 2026-10-19: Amazon deforestation in Brazil hits record low Amazon deforestation in Brazil fell 41.8% to its lowest level since 1988, while Cerrado clearing dropped 23.8%, potentially generating R$ 1.16 trillion in global economic benefits. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/amazon-land-use-acre-vegetation-declines-as-par-deforestation-hits-record-low ### 2026-10-16: Amazon and Cerrado deforestation hit historic lows in Brazil Brazil's Amazon deforestation fell 41.8% to a historic low of 3,335 sq km between 2025 and 2026, while Cerrado deforestation dropped 23.8%, driven by increased enforcement and satellite monitoring. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/amazon-and-cerrado-deforestation-hit-record-lows-in-brazil ### 2026-09-21: Atlantic Forest land use shifts as agriculture expands 11 million hectares MapBiomas reports that Brazil's Atlantic Forest lost 9.7 million hectares of mature vegetation to agriculture since 1985, though 8 million hectares of secondary vegetation have since regrown. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/atlantic-forest-lost-97-million-hectares-to-agriculture-over-41-years --- Cite as: Brazilian biome deforestation and land use trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazilian-biome-deforestation-and-land-use-trends