Climate changes and land use in farming regions: evidence from Buritirana district (Jalapão gateway), Tocantins state, Brazil: 2004-2018

Abstract

The following research analyzed the interactions between climate change and land use in the Buritirana district, a farming region located at Jalapão gateway, Tocantins state, Brazil. This relatively small area gathers high-tech soybean production developed in recent years, cattle breeding, small family farming, and none associated producers. The study focused on two groups: on the one hand farmers of the agricultural settlements Sítio and Entre Rios and on the other large soybean producers. The database was obtained by the MapBioma project and the WorldClim collection. The images retrieved were processed to plot geographic illustrations and furthermore to elaborate and interpret linear regression. Such framework intended to provide more evidences about the future perspectives of agricultural production in tropical regions. The results revealed an annual increase of average temperature in the examined region, characterized by a strong expansion of soybean monoculture, between 2013 and 2018. However, based on statistical analysis, evidence of correlating soybean expansion to climate changes in the Buritirana region could not be confirmed. Nevertheless, spread of monoculture and reduction of native flora in the Jalapão region and surroundings should be considered with concern, especially for small rural familiar farmers and for wildlife as well, even after approval of the new Brazilian Forest Code in 2008.