RECENT GROWTH RATES OF SECONDARY FOREST IN THE ATLANTIC FOREST: A COMPARISON BY BRAZILIAN STATES

The Atlantic Forest is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot due to its high species diversity and significant levels of threat across its varied ecosystems. Although it once covered 1.3 million square kilometers, only about 12% of the original forest remains today. The primary objective of this study is to assess the spatial distribution of secondary forests within the biome, as well as their growth rates across Brazilian states. In this study, remote sensing-based analysis of secondary forests from 2018 to 2022 revealed an approximate growth of 21.65%, increasing from 13,632 km² to 16,638 km², with varied growth rates among Brazilian states. Minas Gerais and Bahia exhibited significant increases of 28% and 25%, respectively, while states such as Paraíba and Alagoas experienced declines of 15% and 10%. These results highlight the urgent need for effective conservation and restoration strategies to sustain biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change within the Atlantic Forest.