Deforestation slows in the Atlantic Forest

When the first Europeans arrived on the coast of modern Bahia and the Atlantic, they discovered the White Forest, now known as the Acama Forest, which stretches from Rio Grande do Norte to Rio Grande do Sul.

They cleared and cut materials to reveal grass, crops, and pathways.

Against all odds, the Atlantic Forest is responding.

The study was conducted by researchers from universities and institutions in Brazil, Argentina, England, Norway, and New Zealand.

An analysis of the flora of this biome over 34 years, from 1986 to 2020, yielded both positive and negative data.

As the article indicates, deforestation in general increased during this period.

However, the downside is that forests are highly fragmented, with 97% of the forests consisting of “islands” of 50 hectares and facing encroachment from the Cerrado, Caatinga, Pampas, and Pantanal biomes.

Biomass data from 1986, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 were analyzed in different locations.

Mauricio Vancin, Group Manager at the Ecoregion State University (USAP), explained that two types of vegetation were assessed: forest vegetation (forest, mangrove, and restinga) and natural vegetation (similar vegetation and non-forest types, such as cerrado, grasses, and meadows).

“Furthermore, linear infrastructures like roads and railways in the Atlantic Forest tend to fragment larger areas, so the study takes into account the edge effect,” Vancin explains.

Edge Effect in the Atlantic Forest

The so-called edge effect refers to a set of changes at the forest’s edge, resulting from deforestation or degradation of its environment.

When a piece of forest is surrounded by open spaces, there is an increase in sunlight at the edges, which in turn raises soil temperatures and decreases air humidity.

Additionally, due to the surrounding open space, trees on the edge become more exposed to wind, making them more vulnerable to falling.

According to the researcher, the study confirmed that the remnants of the Atlantic Forest cover 22.9% of forested vegetation and 36.3% of natural vegetation, compared to the original size of the biome.

This represents a decrease of 2.4% and 3.6%, respectively, since 1986.

Highways and railways mainly affect large expanses, exceeding 500,000 hectares, reducing their size by 56% to 94%.

The period before 2005 is known for a 3% loss of forest vegetation and a 3.4% loss of natural vegetation, as well as a decline in the number of forest vegetation fragments.

On the other hand, after 2005, vegetation stabilized, with 1 million hectares of forest vegetation recovering (an increase of 0.6%).

This recovery was aided by an increase in existing fragments and the formation of nearly 385,000 new ones.

“For native vegetation, there was a slowdown in the loss rate, dropping to 0.25% compared to a decline of 3.4% between 1986 and 2005,” added Vancin.

Conclusion

Adhering to regulations fosters regeneration. For the researchers, the increase in forest vegetation may be due to two complementary processes: natural regeneration and environmental restoration measures.

Among the conservation measures were three laws enacted between 2004 and 2006 to protect the vegetation of the Atlantic Forest.

In Brazil, the Atlantic Forest Law (Law No. 11,428, of 2006), amended in 2012 (New Forest Code), was established.

In Argentina, the Forest Law was created in 2007, and in Paraguay, the Zero Deforestation Law was established in 2004.

Moreover, in Brazil, the Forest Code created the Rural Cadastre (CAR), which requires environmental data from private rural properties.

This has contributed to the natural regeneration process of the Atlantic Forest, such as forest transition—areas unsuitable for agriculture or poorly managed that have lost their productive functions and are now abandoned.

“Additionally, there has been a migration of rural residents to cities, abandoning areas that were previously used for family farming,” said Vancin.

“Another important factor is the strengthening of regular agricultural production, especially around streams, lakes, and springs, along with legal reserves through Permanent Preservation Areas (APPs).”

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