Socio-Ecological Impacts and Sustainable Transformation Pathways of Soybean Cultivation in the Brazilian Amazon Region

This study examines the ecological and socio-economic impacts of soybean cultivation in the Brazilian Amazon region and explores pathways for sustainable transformation. As the world’s largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon plays a critical role in global climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. However, soybean expansion since the 1990s, driven by international demand and domestic policies, has led to significant deforestation, soil degradation, water resource depletion, and biodiversity loss. The conversion of forests into monoculture plantations has disrupted hydrological systems, increased pesticide pollution, and exacerbated social inequalities, particularly affecting indigenous communities through land disputes and cultural erosion. Governance challenges, including weak enforcement of environmental laws, conflicting domestic policies, and the limited efficacy of international agreements, further hinder sustainable outcomes. The study proposes agroforestry systems as a viable alternative to monoculture, integrating soybean cultivation with native trees to enhance soil health and biodiversity. It also emphasizes strengthening land governance, revising Brazil’s Forest Code, enhancing international cooperation, and improving supply chain regulations to curb deforestation and promote sustainability.