Deforestation and Land Use in Brazil

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is rising despite past successes in reducing forest loss. Since 2012, weakened environmental policies have led to increased deforestation, largely driven by agriculture and inefficient cattle ranching. Land grabbing, often involving illegal occupation of public lands, exacerbates the problem. Legal changes have sometimes legitimized these occupations, but public outcry has halted further amnesties. Solutions include recognizing indigenous land claims, creating protected areas, punishing land grabbers, and increasing transparency in land tenure policies.

What was the percentage reduction in forest loss achieved by Brazil between 2005 and 2012?

• 80%

• 70%

• 60%

• 50%

What is the primary land use activity associated with deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon?

• Tourism

• Urban Development

• Cattle Ranching

• Mining

What percentage of the Brazilian Amazon region lacks clarity in property rights?

• 50%

• 33%

• 20%

• 10%

What legislative change in 2017 affected land grabbing in Brazil?

• A new environmental protection law

• An amnesty for public land occupations

• A ban on cattle ranching

• A tax on deforestation

Why is cattle ranching considered inefficient in the Amazon?

• It causes soil erosion

• It supports only one cattle per hectare

• It is too expensive

• It requires too much water

What is a significant reason for the inefficiency in cattle ranching in the Amazon?

• Lack of technology

• Land grabbing

• Poor soil quality

• Climate change

What is one of the proposed solutions to combat land grabbing in the Amazon?

• Increase cattle ranching

• Recognize priority land claims

• Expand urban areas

• Promote tourism

What is the penalty for land grabbing considered to be?

• Non-existent

• Appropriate

• Too weak

• Too severe

What percentage of mandatory data do state land agencies disclose on average?

• 22%

• 50%

• 10%

• 75%

What is a key step in reducing deforestation according to the final section?

• Increasing cattle ranching

• Encouraging mining

• Punishing land grabbers

• Building more roads