Brazilian scientists warn that Brazilian scientists are preparing to jump in the deforestation of the world’s most biodiverse Savanna.

SAO PAULO – Jan 3, 2016 (Reuters) – Last year, deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado rose to its highest level since 2015. This alarming development prompted scientists to raise concern Monday about the state of the world’s most species rich savanna as well as a major carbon sink that helps to combat climate change.

The Cerrado is one of the largest savannas on the planet, spread across several states in Brazil. It is often called an upside-down forest because of the deep roots that its plants have sunk into the ground to withstand seasonal droughts and fires.

The Cerrado is a major source for Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is less densely forested that the Amazon rainforest it borders, which is why the destruction of these trees, grasses, and other plants in it is so common.

According to Inpe, Brazil’s national space research agency, deforestation and other clearances occurred in the Cerrado, increasing by 8% to 8,531 kilometers in the 12 month period through July. This is more that 10 times the area of New York City, which covers 783.84 km2.

Mercedes Bustamante from the University of Brasilia, said that it was “extremely worrying”.

Bustamante also attacked the government for not being transparent about the New Year’s Eve announcement of deforestation data.

Scientists find the added destruction particularly alarming, considering that half of Cerrado was destroyed in the 1970s, mainly for farming and ranching.

Manuel Ferreira, a geographer from the Federal University of Goias, said that “you’re transforming thousands of kilometers each year.”

“Few other places have witnessed such a rapid transformation.”

Ferreira stated that new animal and plant species are frequently being discovered in Cerrado and that most are likely being eradicated before they are studied.

After falling from highs at the beginning of the 2000s, Cerrado deforestation is now creeping up again after President Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing president, took office in 2019, calling on more farming and development to protect sensitive ecosystems.

Bustamante, along with other scientists, blame Bolsonaro because he encourages deforestation and supports environmental enforcement.

Bolsonaro’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. He previously defended his policies to lift the country’s interior from poverty and said that Brazil has kept more of its territory than Europe and the United States.

Ane Alencar is the science director of the non-profit Amazon Environmental Research Institute. “Deforestation” is the most obvious indicator of the government’s terrible environmental policy.

(This story has been corrected to correct headline and text to reflect that it is not the largest savanna in the world.

Jake Spring reports; Grant McCool edits

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