BURNING, DEFORESTATION, AND THE AGRICULTURAL FRONTIER IN THE LEGAL AMAZON (2010-2021): EVIDENCE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN BASIC EDUCATION

Abstract

The study analyzes the spatial and temporal distribution of fire hotspots and deforestation in the Legal Amazon between 2010 and 2021, considering the sub-regions of the Equatorial Amazon, the Arc of Deforestation, and the Cerrado. In addition to identifying seasonal patterns and critical areas, it discusses how these results can support environmental education practices in Basic Education by providing territorial data that enhance students’ understanding of socio-environmental processes in the region. During the analyzed period, 1,729,669 fire hotspots were recorded, concentrated in the Equatorial Amazon (53.7%) and the Arc of Deforestation (37%), with peaks between August and September. Kernel density analysis revealed hotspots associated with the expansion of the agricultural frontier, particularly in southern Amazonas, Rondônia, Mato Grosso, and Maranhão. Deforestation showed continuous growth in the Arc of Deforestation, while the Equatorial Amazon experienced a recent increase and the Cerrado showed a decreasing trend.The results highlight the importance of integrating real data and spatial analyses into the teaching of Science and Geography, in line with Brazil’s National Curriculum (BNCC), enabling interdisciplinary approaches that combine graph interpretation, map reading, and discussions on environmental governance. Thus, the study contributes both to understanding regional dynamics and to strengthening critical, contextualized, and socially engaged environmental education.