Change of landscape in the Southeast Pará mesoregion: co-evolution with cattle ranching and settlement projects

Abstract

In recent decades, Southeast Pará has received attention in the Amazon scenario due to the high rates of deforestation, motivated by different agents and factors. Based on these considerations, this study aimed to analyze deforestation in the Southeastern Mesoregion of Pará and its relationship with the expansion of cattle raising and the settlement projects implemented by INCRA. For this purpose, data made available by INPE through PRODES, IBGE through PPM, INCRA and IMAZON were used and cross-checked, applying quantitative, statistical and spatial analyses. The results show that by 2020, almost 50% of the Southeast of Pará had already been deforested, with an average of 7,000 km² deforested per year. The area in which the settlement projects are installed contributed with about 28% of this deforestation and of that total, about 75% were deforested by 2007. Statistically, there is a strong correlation between deforestation and the expansion of cattle ranching and the creation of settlement projects. The need for public policies that can improve environmental management in these places and the use and access to agricultural technology that can intensify and stabilize production, reducing the incorporation of new forest areas, is highlighted.