Resumo: This study evaluated changes in agricultural land use on São Paulo state, Brazil, mapping and qualifying sugarcane expansion. The Percentage Change Index (PCi), calculated using official municipal census data was used to identify areas where sugarcane caused the main land use changes. The PCi provided the sugarcane percentage changes over 20 years of data. Detailed land cover maps for four municipalities with high PCi were created for two time periods (1990 and 2005), using satellite images. Results showed that sugarcane expansion over the 15 year period occurred mainly over pasture lands however, for one municipality, a high substitution of forest plantation areas was observed. Also, only one municipality showed a strong increase in short cycle crop agriculture, which also occurred over pasture areas. Results revealed that sugarcane expansion has a relationship with local economic aspects and the method used provided an important tool to define public policies and management decisions.

Ano de publicação: 2012

Tipo de publicação: Artigo em anais e proceedings

Unidade: Embrapa Territorial

Palavras-chave: Geotechnology, Percentage change index, Sugarcane expansion hotspots