Land use change from the sugarcane expansion in Tupã region

• Grant number: 13/19044-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Administration - Administration of Specific Sectors
• Principal researcher: Wagner Luiz Lourenzani
• Grantee: Matheus Vinicius Ramalho Fonseca
• Home Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Tupã. Tupã , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The climate change concern and the demand for energy alternatives to oil are increasing global biofuel production and, consequently, the food crops cultivation. Brazil is highly competitive in the world market of ethanol from sugar cane. In 2003, the emergence of flex-fuel vehicles resumed the importance of ethanol production, resulting in a new phase of Brazilian sugar cane crop expansion. São Paulo state holds the largest part of national expansion. However, this process did not occur homogeneously throughout the state, due to the saturation of traditional areas and the search for regions with more suitable soil and climatic conditions. The acreage expansion has been more significant in the western part of the state. In this context, the aim of this proposal is to analyze the land-use change in the Tupã region, between 2003 and 2012, caused by sugar cane expansion. It is considered that the understanding of these changes in western São Paulo, and more specifically in the Tupã region, is an important tool for information to other regions, with potential for sugar cane expansion. The results of this research can subsidize the development and implementation of public policies, as well as for private and public agents' decision-making. (AU)