The ASD of NE Brazil has always been subject to periodic drought. The main anthropogenic drivers of land degradation in the ASD of the NE in general and in the SAS, where most of Sergipe's remaining Caatinga vegetation is located, are deforestation, driven principally by large and small scale agriculture, and the use of unsustainable farming and ranching practices. Overharvesting of wood (generally without clearing) is a second driver of deforestation. To a lesser extent hunting and new development projects also drive land degradation, Climate change is an additional factor that is increasing land degradation per se and also exuberating the pressures from anthropic drivers.
Agriculture and livestock as drivers of land degradation
Deforested land is used for crops and pasture in both large and small properties, including Sergipe’s agrarian reform settlements, which are concentrated in the project target area- SAS. There are 95 land reform settlements in the seven municipalities in the SAS occupying 995 km2, and corresponding to 20.3% of the total area of these municipalities. New settlements are planned. Small-scale agriculture is concentrated in land reform settlements. The crops planted by small farmers include manioc, fruits and vegetables, as well as cactus to feed cattle during droughts and dry spells. Their livestock includes cattle, goats and chickens.
