Deforestation in Brazil

Deforestation in Brazilian rainforests began in the minute the Portuguese arrived in the country, in 1500. The Portuguese were interested in the sale of the pau-brasil tree in Europe, and started exploiting the Mata Atlântica, a rainforest region that used to be located along the Brazilian coast. Portuguese caravels shipped from Brazil loaded with pau-brasil so that they could sell it in the European market. While wood was used to make furniture and musical instruments, pau-brasil’s nectar was used to make clothes.

Ever since the arrival of the Portuguese, deforestation became a common issue in Brazil. After the Mata Atlântica, it was time for the Amazon Forest to suffer the consequences of illegal takedown of trees. Nowadays, 13% of the Amazon Forest was deforested. As for Mata Atlântica, only 9% of its original area remains. Many different animals were already extinct because of this.

The growth of Brazilian cities has also affected our green areas. The population’s growth and industry development demand wide areas in the cities. Huge forest areas are taken down in order to make room for highways, condominiums and industries.