MapBiomas: monitoring land cover and land use in Brazil
The MapBiomas project began in 2015 to produce annual land-cover and land-use maps for Brazil through a network of universities, non-governmental organisations and technology companies. It combines satellite imagery, biome-specific expertise and large-scale data processing.
Its historical series makes it possible to examine changes in land occupation over time, including the expansion of agriculture and pasture, the loss and recovery of native vegetation, urbanisation and other land-use transitions.
How are the maps produced?
Mapping uses satellite imagery, particularly the Landsat series, and automated classification techniques. Data are processed at pixel level and organised into successive collections that incorporate methodological improvements and updates to the historical series.
Spatial resolution, available classes and accuracy vary by product and collection. Users should therefore identify the data version, scale, class analysed and relevant accuracy assessment.
Applications in LCA studies
Land-cover and land-use information can support Life Cycle Assessment, particularly when land-use change is relevant to agricultural, forestry and livestock products. Maps help characterise the territorial context and explore changes over time.
However, land-cover data do not automatically replace primary inventories or establish that a particular product or supply chain caused a given land-use change. Suitability depends on spatial and temporal scale, classification quality and the match between map classes and the study's requirements.
An evolving data infrastructure
Since the original 2021 publication, MapBiomas has expanded its time series and available products. Collection 11 of the 30-metre land-cover and land-use product currently includes annual maps from 1985 to 2025; specific products with 10-metre resolution are also available for more recent periods. The relevant version and methodology should be checked whenever the data are used.
MapBiomas' value lies in providing open, consistent and updateable spatial information that can support research, land-use planning and better-informed environmental decisions.