The Spatial Patterns of Deforestation in Pará, Brazil: From Economic Necessity to Environmental Threat

Abstract

The emergence of green deforestation demands heightened attention, as it conceals environmental degradation under the guise of sustainability. In this context, the objective of this study is to analyze the deforestation pattern in the state of Pará, assessing whether it exhibits a specific spatial distribution and whether the structural causes of deforestation enable the identification of areas correlated with so-called green deforestation. The research adopts a descriptive and quantitative approach, employing the Moran’s I and LISA indices to identify spatial clusters of deforestation. Additionally, the Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests were applied to analyze relationships among deforestation, development, and productive activities in 143 municipalities of Pará. The results reveal four distinct territorial patterns (clusters), in which deforestation is strongly associated with livestock farming (ρ = 0.866), followed by agriculture. The High-High cluster is particularly noteworthy for combining high municipal development with elevated deforestation rates, driven by intensive agricultural and livestock expansion. Conversely, the Low-Low cluster demonstrates lower environmental pressure and greater sustainable extraction of non-timber forest products such as açaí and Brazil nuts. The principal conclusion is that deforestation in Pará does not follow a uniform pattern but instead reflects distinct territorial trajectories, which require regionally tailored public policies. Based on these findings, there is a pressing need for greater governmental attention in the planning of public initiatives to promote economic activities and combat deforestation. Such interventions must be implemented in accordance with the specific characteristics of each region.