MAPPING SECONDARY VEGETATION IN THE BRAZILIAN CERRADO - METHODOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS OF THE TERRACLASS PROJECT

The TerraClass Cerrado Project is a crucial initiative for tracking land-use changes in the Brazilian Cerrado, an ecologically important yet threatened biome. Launched in 2013, the project uses satellite imagery and advanced remote sensing to map various land cover types, focusing on secondary vegetation (SV), which is vital for carbon storage, biodiversity, and water regulation. From 2018 to 2022, SV decreased significantly, with an 11% loss between 2020 and 2022, primarily due to conversion into pastureland. Despite these losses, 65% of the SV area in 2020 persisted until 2022, indicating resilience potential. Improved mapping accuracy (90.9% in 2022) highlights TerraClass’s growing precision, which is essential for informing sustainable land-use policies. However, challenges in accurately detecting SV persist due to the fragmented nature of regenerating lands. TerraClass’s data is instrumental in shaping conservation strategies to balance agricultural demands with ecological preservation in the Cerrado.