**6. Conclusion**

*Forest Degradation Around the World*

types which occur in MG state. Another point is the problems associated with the use of the GFC map. This product does not capture herbaceous plant, may leading to

*Semiarid woodland's aboveground biomass loss (AGB/Mg) and deforested areas from 2007 to 2017.*

generated an AGB loss of 4,633,011 Mg from year 2007 to 2017 (**Figure 8**). This amount represents about 5.02% of the total AGB in 2007 (92,200,203 Mg). The higher AGB loss occurred in the year 2013 (761,271 Mg), followed by the year 2012 (694,546 Mg). The lower AGB loss occurred in the years 2008 (183,203 Mg), 2010 (238,628 Mg), and 2011 (209,485 Mg). These results indicate an increase in defores-

In summary, the total AGB loss from 2007 to 2017 of Savannas and Semiarid woodland biomes in MG state was 21,182,150 Mg (4.65% of total AGB) due to 508,042 ha of deforestation. The remaining AGB of Savanna and Semi-arid woodland biomes is 346,741,007 Mg and 87,567,192 Mg, totaling

The absolute values of AGB loss are expressive. The implications of such AGB loss are vast. Biomass loss usually leads to impacts on carbon and nutrients cycles [38, 39] and possibly on regional and global climate [40]. Biomass density (the quantity of biomass per unit area—Mg dry weight per ha) determines the amount of carbon emitted to the atmosphere (such as CO2, CO, and CH4 through burning and decay) when ecosystems are disturbed. Although biomass density over biomes may change little over time, the biomass density of individual stands and plots is continuously changing and the sum of these changes is largely responsible for the

Furthermore, biomass loss is intrinsically linked with biodiversity loss. Both biomass and biodiversity are important drivers of ecosystem functions and services and may represent key elements in climate change mitigation. The potential for forest regeneration in these areas is often limited by continuous disturbances and climate change effects [41] worsening this issue. Previous studies have suggested a positive relationship between forest productivity and biodiversity at global scales [42], as well as at the regional level in tropical biomes [43]. Biodiversity is needed for maintaining primary productivity and nutrient uptake and can also improve

water quality by removing nitrates through niche partitioning [44].

The deforestation across Semi-arid woodland biome in the MG state (84,244 ha)

an underestimate of deforestation into shrub savannas.

tation from years 2012 and 2013 and a decrease towards 2017.

net sources and sinks of terrestrial carbon [39].

**112**

434,308,198 Mg.

**Figure 8.**

We analyzed the aboveground biomass loss from deforestation in the Savanna and Semi-arid biomes of Brazil between 2007 and 2017. In summary, from 2007 to 2017, the Savanna and the Semi-arid woodland biomes lost together 508,042 ha of native vegetation, leading to 21,182,150 Mg of AGB loss (4.65% of total AGB). The remaining AGB in 2017 is 434,308,198 Mg.

Our study provides a contribution to the knowledge of the deforestation impact on aboveground biomass on Brazilian Savanna and Semi-arid woodland biomes. Our results indicate that land-cover changes continue to reduce the AGB/carbon storage of the Savanna and Semi-arid woodland biomes in MG state. Due to the expressive absolute values of AGB loss, conservation initiatives in Savannas, and Semi-arid woodland biomes in MG state, such as law protection, creation of new protected areas (parks), payments for ecosystem services must be implemented to increase the forests protection and expand AGB.

As major challenge, we highlight the problems associated with the use of the global forest cover map to realize deforestation analysis under Savannas and Semiarid woodland biomes. This product does not distinguish forests from plantations and even herbaceous plant, leading to an underestimate of deforestation patches. In this sense, a more accurate global forest cover map would significantly improve our estimates.
