Most cited

High-resolution remote sensing data reveals 28%, or 32 million hectares (Mha), of native vegetation cover in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

There are 7.2Mha of degraded riparian areas, of which 5.2Mha at least must be restored before 2038 by landowners for legislation compliance.

Restoring this existing legal debt could increase native vegetation cover in the biome up to 35%.

The collapse of the Fundão dam was the major environmental disaster of the world mining industry.

We identify with high resolution satellite images the ecosystems and cultural heritage damage.

Contrary to post-disaster expectations, there was a setback in environmental legal planning.

Fire incidence in Brazil increased in 2019−2020, with unprecedented magnitude in the Pantanal.

Fire effects vary according to the evolutionary history of the affected ecosystem.

A drier climate and land use changes increase the risk of wildfires throughout Brazil.

Poor governance further exacerbates the risk and damage of wildfires.

Fire policies must be improved by collaboration among different sectors of the society.

Brazil's regulations governing deforestation and logging are often circumvented.

Agreements with soy and beef companies are important but need strengthening.

Effectiveness of commodity agreements is diminished by laundering and leakage.

Timber harvest and transportation permits are open to widespread fraud.

Ways exist to reduce circumvention of commodity agreements and regulations.

Legal Reserves represent almost one third of all remaining native vegetation in Brazil.

There is no solid argument, evidence or theory that support that Legal Reserve extinction will favor Brazil development.

The extinction of Legal Reserves will lead to a huge increase in native vegetation loss, with blatant negative consequences on biodiversity and ecosystem services provision.

Legal Reserves are a key-component for effective and less expensive nature-based solutions.

Legal Reserves should be considered as assets for the development of Brazil rather than liabilities.

The concept of ecosystems as infrastructure is reviewed.

The terms green, ecological, natural, and blue have been used in the literature.

Green infrastructure is the most commonly used name.

A more inclusive concept for green infrastructure is proposed.

Design principles for green infrastructure at all spatial scales are suggested.

Pandemics can become a new indirect driver of tropical deforestation.

Halting illegal deforestation should be considered an essential activity during the pandemic.

Forest fires could aggravate the health risks of COVID-19.

Tropical deforestation will increase the risks of emerging zoonotic diseases.

Indigenous people should be especially protected during the current pandemic.