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Drying the Wetland: Water Scarcity in the Brazilian Pantanal

Author

Listed:
  • Hector, Vinícius
  • Araujo, Rafael
  • Costa, Francisco J M

    (FGV EPGE Brazilian School of Economics and Finance)

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of upstream deforestation on water coverage and burned area in wetlands. Using a panel dataset of satellite-derived land cover for multiple hydrographic basins, we analyze this relationship in the Brazilian Pantanal from 1985 to 2023. We find that a 1% increase in upstream deforestation reduces water coverage by 0.51% and increases burned area by 0.55% per year. The effect of upstream deforestation on downstream burned area generates an emissions multiplier, as carbon released through deforestation is compounded by emissions from downstream burned area. On average, for each ton of carbon emitted due to deforestation, an additional 0.14 tons are released through downstream fire.

Suggested Citation

  • Hector, Vinícius & Araujo, Rafael & Costa, Francisco J M, 2026. "Drying the Wetland: Water Scarcity in the Brazilian Pantanal," SocArXiv v9sm7_v1, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:v9sm7_v1
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/v9sm7_v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q23 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Forestry
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment
    • Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water

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