Mapping of Environmental Degradation in Regions and States of Brazil

The objective of this study is to measure the environmental degradation in states and regions of Brazil in order to map this phenomenon throughout the country from the construction of a Degradation Index (ID). Data were calculated for 137 Brazilian mesoregions. Thus, it was calculated the ID average for the 26 states and the Federal District and for the five regions that comprise the Brazilian territory. The Degradation Index in the country was approximately 57%, which shows that more than half of the country is degraded. The North and Midwest regions are the most degraded in the country. The results support the premise that regions with higher levels of poverty are more degraded, which is the case of the Northern Region. In addition, another hypothesis that environmental degradation is under direct influence of agricultural activities is also confirmed in the Midwest Region. Key-Words: Environmental Degradation, Degradation Index; Brazilian states; Agricultural; Poverty; Agroecology.