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Data from the first quarter of 2026 shows a strong reduction in the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, while experts monitor regional hotspots of environmental pressure and forest degradation
The Amazon began 2026 with a positive result in the fight against deforestation. Data released by the Institute of Man and Environment of the Amazon (Imazon) shows that forest clearing fell by 17% in the first quarter of the year, reinforcing a trend of reduction observed over the past few months.
The information was released by Imazon, a Brazilian institution dedicated to the conservation and sustainable development of the Amazon. According to the survey, between January and March 2026, the deforested area totaled 348 km². In the same period of 2025, the destruction had reached 419 km².
In practice, this reduction represents a preserved area equivalent to approximately 7,000 football fields. Furthermore, the numbers reinforce the importance of environmental monitoring and enforcement actions carried out in the largest tropical forest on the planet.
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Although the result is positive, experts warn that some states still concentrate high levels of devastation. Similarly, the growth recorded in certain regions demonstrates that the challenges remain relevant.
Accumulated reduction reaches 36% and marks the best result since 2017
When the analysis considers the so-called deforestation calendar, the scenario becomes even more favorable.
This calendar follows the period between August of one year and July of the following year, a methodology used due to the climatic characteristics and the rainfall regime of the Amazon region.
Between August 2025 and March 2026, the deforested area fell from 2,296 km² to 1,460 km². Thus, the accumulated reduction reached 36%.
Moreover, the result represents the lowest rate of forest destruction recorded in the last eight years. According to the survey, it is the best performance since 2017.
The reduction reinforces a trend observed in recent monitoring cycles. At the same time, it highlights the importance of public policies aimed at environmental preservation and combating illegal activities that threaten the forest.
However, not all indicators showed improvement. Despite the accumulated decrease, March 2026 recorded an isolated increase of 17% in deforestation compared to the same month in 2025.
For this reason, experts emphasize the need to maintain constant vigilance to prevent the resurgence of destruction rates.
Mato Grosso, Pará, and Roraima lead the most affected areas
Even with the overall reduction, some states continue to concentrate a large part of the forest losses.
According to Imazon data, Mato Grosso, Roraima, and Pará led the deforestation records during the current calendar.
Among them, Roraima drew special attention. The state was the only one in the Legal Amazon to show an increase in deforestation compared to the same period of the previous year.
The recorded growth was 21%.
Additionally, the most affected municipalities between August 2025 and March 2026 were:
- Caracaraí (RR): 84.09 km²
- Feijó (AC): 43.49 km²
- Rorainópolis (RR): 42.38 km²
The data shows that a significant part of the environmental pressure remains concentrated in specific areas of the Amazon region.
Another negative highlight was the Triunfo do Xingu Environmental Protection Area (APA), located in Pará.
The conservation unit remains the most deforested in the Amazon. Alone, it accumulates a forest loss area larger than 3,000 football fields.
Consequently, the situation reinforces the need to expand protection measures in environmentally sensitive areas.
Forest degradation falls by 95%, but severe drought concerns experts
In addition to deforestation, the study also analyzed forest degradation.
Unlike deforestation, which completely removes the vegetation cover, degradation occurs when the forest suffers partial damage caused by fires, logging, or other human interferences.
Even without completely eliminating the vegetation, these impacts reduce biodiversity, compromise ecological balance, and increase the forest’s vulnerability to climate change.
In this indicator, the results were even more significant.
In March 2026, forest degradation reached only 11 km². Thus, there was a 95% drop, marking the lowest level recorded for the month in the last 11 years.
Despite this, Roraima accounted for 82% of all the degraded area recorded in March.
According to the study, this scenario is directly related to the more severe drought period faced by the state compared to other areas of the Amazon.
Therefore, even in the face of the historical reduction in overall rates, researchers emphasize that forest protection requires continuous attention.
The combination of combating deforestation, monitoring degradation, and adapting to climate change will continue to be decisive in ensuring the conservation of the Amazon in the coming years.
Do you believe that the reduction of deforestation in the Amazon will be maintained in the coming years, or are there still challenges that could reverse this trend?
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