Persistence of cattle ranching in the Brazilian Amazon: A spatial analysis of the rationale for beef production

Bowman, Maria; Soares‐Filho, Britaldo; Merry, Frank; Nepstad, Daniel C.; Rodrigues, Henrique; Almeida, Oriana

doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2011.09.009

Cited by 230 publications

(182 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…The combined effects of deforestation and forest degradation threaten the maintenance of critical ecosystem services, including carbon storage and sequestration and the conservation of hydrological cycles, as well as the protection of globally significant biodiversity (2,3). Much of the land already cleared for farming is poorly used (4), and despite the economic growth often associated with converting forests to farmland, many inhabitants of the Amazon continue to live in poverty (5).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Actor-specific contributions to the deforestation slowdown in the Brazilian Amazon

Godar

Gardner

Tizado

et al. 2014

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

206

137

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Significance The Brazilian Amazon is at a critical juncture after the recent stabilization of deforestation rates. Identifying opportunities for continued deforestation reductions requires an understanding of the contribution of different actors to overall deforestation. We provide the first such assessment, to our knowledge, that reports on two headline findings. First, between 2004 and 2011, areas dominated by properties larger than 500 ha accounted for 48% of the deforestation compared with only 12% for smallholders (<100 ha). Second, the deforestation share attributed to the largest properties (≥2,500 ha) declined by 63% from a peak in 2005, whereas that of smallholders increased by 69%. Further reductions in deforestation are likely to require a shift toward more incentive-based policies that are tailored toward different actors.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Actor-specific contributions to the deforestation slowdown in the Brazilian Amazon

Godar

Gardner

Tizado

et al. 2014

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

206

137

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“…Animal welfare In Brazil, the vast majority of cattle production takes place in pasturelands and considerations of intensification means transformation to semi-intensive or semi-extensive rather than to truly intensive confinement-based systems (Bowman et al, 2012). Improper management of low-productive pastures provides insufficient feed, while implementing better-managed intensive systems ensure animal nutritional balance, provide clean water, shade and supply of mineral salt, concomitantly improving the animal's immune system.…”

Section: Socioeconomic Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pasturelands have become a focal point of both development and conservation experts worldwide, due to their extent and to their potential with respect to the forecasted increase in meat consumption in the coming decades (Tilman et al, 2002;Bowman et al, 2012;Barretto et al, 2013;Strassburg et al, 2014a). Beef cattle production systems are developed in all the 27 Brazilian states and are highly diversified as a result of historic, social, economic and environmental factors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Brazilian pasturelands, due to their total area (~159 million hectares v. 60 million hectares for crops) and low productivity (Valentim and Andrade, 2009) have been suggested as a priority for reconciling agricultural expansion with the reduction of its environmental footprint (Bowman et al, 2012;Bustamante et al, 2012;Martha et al, 2012). Indeed, studies carried out at the regional scale suggest that cropland intensification and expansion during the 2000s displaced cattle ranching to the frontier region, causing deforestation (Barona et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the past, land-use intensification coincided with expansion of agricultural lands in agricultural frontier areas in Brazil, such as in the Amazon region (Barretto et al, 2013). Although vast areas in the Amazon may be only marginally profitable if ranched extensively, they remain profitable when considering land speculation (Bowman et al, 2012). Kaimowitz and Angelsen (2008) highlighted that if intensification proves profitable, it would increase the land demand for cattle production in Brazil.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Intensification of cattle ranching production systems: socioeconomic and environmental synergies and risks in Brazil

Latawiec

Strassburg

Valentim

et al. 2014

Animal

117

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Intensification of Brazilian cattle ranching systems has attracted both national and international attention due to its direct relation with Amazon deforestation on the one hand and increasing demand of the global population for meat on the other. Since Brazilian cattle ranching is predominantly pasture-based, we particularly focus on pasture management. We summarize the most recurrent opportunities and risks associated with pasture intensification that are brought up within scientific and political dialogues, and discuss them within the Brazilian context. We argue that sustainable intensification of pasturelands in Brazil is a viable way to increase agricultural output while simultaneously sparing land for nature. Since environmental degradation is often associated with low-yield extensive systems in Brazil, it is possible to obtain higher yields, while reversing degradation, by adopting practices like rotational grazing, incorporation of legumes and integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems. Technical assistance is however essential, particularly for small-and medium-scale farmers. Sound complementary policies and good governance must accompany these measures so that a 'rebound effect' does not lead to increased deforestation and other adverse social and environmental impacts. It is also important that animal welfare is not compromised. Although the discussion is presented with respect to Brazil, some aspects are relevant to other developing countries.

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Sustainable bioproducts in Brazil: disputes and agreements on a common ground agenda for agriculture and nature protection

Sparovek

Antoniazzi

Barretto

et al. 2016

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

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A key question for food, biofuels, and bioproducts production is how agriculture affects the environment, and social and economic development. In Brazil, a large agricultural producer and among the biologically wealthiest of nations, this question is challenging and opinions often clash. The Brazilian parliament and several stakeholders have recently debated the revision of the Forest Act, the most important legal framework for conservation of natural vegetation on Brazilian private agricultural lands. Past decades have shown improvements in the agricultural sector with respect to productivity and efficiency, along with great reductions in deforestation and growth of environmentally certified production. However, the opposing sides in the debate have ignored this progress and instead continue to entrench their respective combative positions. A structured exchange involving nine experts associated with major producer interests (livestock, crops, planted forest, and charcoal) and environmental NGOs was moderated based on a framework that sorted viewpoints into four categories: (i) common ground – compatible interests considered to be high priority for Brazilian sustainable agricultural development; (ii) serving exclusive nature conservation interest; (iii) serving exclusive agricultural production interest; and (iv) mainly serving the purpose of sustaining dispute. We conclude that the majority of actions and expected future trends reflect achievements and ambitions to balance production and conservation, but much public opinion – and in turn decisions in the parliament and government for agriculture and conservation – is shaped by a perceived conflict between these objectives and a debate that has become, at least to some extent, an end in itself. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

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Persistence of cattle ranching in the Brazilian Amazon: A spatial analysis of the rationale for beef production

Cited by 230 publications

References 61 publications

Actor-specific contributions to the deforestation slowdown in the Brazilian Amazon

Actor-specific contributions to the deforestation slowdown in the Brazilian Amazon

Intensification of cattle ranching production systems: socioeconomic and environmental synergies and risks in Brazil

Sustainable bioproducts in Brazil: disputes and agreements on a common ground agenda for agriculture and nature protection

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