A Worrying Future for River Flows in the Brazilian Cerrado Provoked by Land Use and Climate Changes

In this study, we assessed the impacts of land use and climate changes on river flows 81 watersheds within Cerrado biome, Brazil, based a comprehensive analysis field secondary data acquired between 1985 2018. Complementarily, projected future deforestation scenario up to 2050 predicted their surface water in study area. We observed that direct by large-scale oriented production irrigated agricultural commodities have more significantly impacted than changes. estimated an average decrease 8.7% 6.7% streamflow due changes, respectively. Most (56.7%) were cover occurred recent decades. Climate combined responsible for total reduction −19,718 m³/s watersheds. By assuming current rates, 23,653 2050, equivalent 33.9% region. It will cause severe discontinuity many rivers strongly affect agricultural, electric power production, biodiversity, supply, especially during dry seasons