SPATIO-TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF DEFORESTATION IN A SMALL MUNICIPALITY IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL: THE CASE OF TIMBIRAS (MA), 1985–2023

Abstract

Deforestation in the Brazilian Cerrado poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Municipalities in the MATOPIBA region of the state of Maranhão have experienced intense environmental changes resulting from the expansion of agricultural activities. This underscores the importance of local-scale studies to identify these geographic transformations. This article analyzes changes in land use and land cover in the municipality of Timbiras between 1985 and 2023, focusing on shifts in forest vegetation, agricultural areas, urban expansion, and water bodies. Data from the MapBiomas platform (Collection 9) were processed using QGIS software and organized into graphic and tabular formats for spatio-temporal analysis. The results indicated an expansion of agricultural areas, particularly pastures, which increased by 2,559.31% during the study period. There was also a reduction of over twenty thousand hectares of forest formations. Urban sprawl and a decrease in water bodies were also observed. Deforestation was strongly driven by the expansion of agricultural land in the municipality. The loss of native vegetation, urban growth, and shrinking water bodies reveal a continuous process of natural landscape transformation. Thus, municipal-scale studies are essential for understanding territorial dynamics and supporting public policies aimed at sustainable land use and environmental conservation.