LAND USE CHANGE AND THE INTENSIFICATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN BRAZIL: EVIDENCE FROM AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Land-use and land-cover changes are among the main drivers intensifying climate change in Brazil, particularly due to deforestation, the expansion of mechanized agriculture, unplanned urban growth, and increasing pressure on native ecosystems. This study aims to analyze how these territorial transformations have amplified climate impacts in the country between 2015 and 2025. An Integrative Literature Review was conducted following the methodological recommendations of Whittemore and Knafl (2005), Mendes, Silveira and Galvão (2008), and PRISMA 2020, with searches performed in the CAPES Portal, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. After screening and eligibility assessment, nine studies met the inclusion criteria and composed the final synthesis. These studies investigated variables such as land surface temperature, greenhouse gas emissions, erosion, hydrology, urbanization, and environmental degradation patterns. The findings indicate that the conversion of native vegetation to agricultural and urban uses reduces evapotranspiration, increases temperature, intensifies erosive processes, alters rainfall regimes, and affects hydrological stability. In urban areas, results showed the formation of heat islands, increased surface runoff, and more frequent flooding. In coastal regions, the loss of mangroves was associated with greater vulnerability to sea-level rise and extreme events. It is concluded that inadequate land use acts as a catalyst for climate change, reinforcing the need for integrated territorial planning, ecological restoration, and the transition to sustainable production systems.