EVALUATION OF AGRICULTURAL EXPANSION AS AN INDICATOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN THE NORTHWESTERN MESOREGION OF THE STATE OF MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

In Brazil, there is a need for studies that present subsidiary data to the public authorities and inspection agencies, in order to obtain a less costly and more efficient decision, especially in the Northwest mesoregion of the state of Minas Gerais. Therefore, this study aims to develop an Agricultural Expansion Index (AEI for the 19 municipalities that make up this location, based on validated data from Mapbiomas. The results indicate that 12 municipalities had an increase in the agricultural class compared to the other uses. In relation to the AEI the number of municipalities classified with the highest degree of AEI doubled between 1990 and 2020. Finally, it was noted that the proposed index can be used for spatial-temporal monitoring of the agricultural expansion process in the region, being useful for decision-makers and inspection agencies.