EXPANSION OF SUGARCANE (Saccharum officinarum L.) AND SUPPRESSION OF NATIVE VEGETATION IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF SÃO RAIMUNDO DAS MANGABEIRAS AND CAMPESTRE DO MARANHÃO (MA), BRAZIL

Abstract

Sugarcane grew significantly in the last decades of the 20th century. Thus, it is considered necessary to investigate the consequences of this expansion. In this context, this study aims to analyze the expansion effects of sugarcane cultivation on land use and coverage in municipalities of Maranhão, between 1998 and 2018. A data survey was carried out using the agricultural production of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), and the mapping classes of land use and coverage from the MapBiomas Project. In addition, on site visits were carried out to investigate the occurrence of deforestation of native vegetation for sugarcane cultivation. The municipalities of São Raimundo das Mangabeiras and Campestre do Maranhão were selected as samples, following the non-probabilistic criterion, for convenience. Graphical, tabular and cartographic analysis was performed. There was a substantial expansion, both in the amount produced and in the areas of sugarcane cultivation in both municipalities. Changes in land use pointed to growth in agricultural areas and planted pastures, demonstrating an advance in agricultural activity in both municipalities and reduction of native vegetation. It was concluded that in both municipalities, sugarcane expansion took place at the cost of suppression of native vegetation.