Amazon Rainforest Loses 52 Million Hectares of Native Vegetation in Four Decades
The Amazon rainforest has lost nearly 52 million hectares of native vegetation over the past four decades, an area equivalent to the size of France. This transformation, revealed by the MapBiomas platform, highlights the extent of deforestation and land-use changes in South America.
18.7% of the Forest Lost, a Critical Threshold Looms
Since 1985, approximately 13% of the Amazonian territory has been converted into agricultural areas, pastures, forestry, or mining operations. The tropical forest has thus lost 18.7% of its original coverage. Researchers warn that the Amazon is approaching the ecological tipping point of 20-25% deforestation, a threshold that could lead to an irreversible transformation into a degraded savanna.
Agro-Industry: the Main Driver of Destruction
The numbers are telling: pastures have increased from 12.3 million hectares in 1985 to 56.1 million in 2024. Agriculture, which was almost non-existent 40 years ago (180,000 hectares), now covers 7.9 million hectares, with 74% dedicated to soybean production. This expansion continues despite the 2008 agreement that prohibits the purchase of crops from recently deforested areas.
Wetlands and Climate Under Pressure
Between 1985 and 2024, the Amazon has also lost 2.6 million hectares of wetlands, essential for water and climate regulation. The repeated droughts of the last decade are accelerating this phenomenon, further weakening the ecosystem.
Brazil Faces COP30: Ambitious Promises
In response to criticism, the Brazilian government has announced the creation of an interministerial commission, the deployment of real-time surveillance technologies, and the financing of projects through the Amazon Fund. As the COP30 approaches, scheduled for November 2025 in the Amazon, Brazil commits to eliminating illegal deforestation by 2030.
Why This Situation Concerns the Entire World
The Amazon is not only the planet's green lung; it plays a major role in carbon storage, global climate regulation, and biodiversity preservation. Its collapse would have direct consequences on climate warming, droughts, and ecosystem balance on a global scale.
