Condições das pastagens nas regiões de Tangará da Serra e Mirassol d’Oeste (MT): análise temporal do vigor e da degradação entre os anos de 2010 a 2024

Abstract

Beef cattle production plays a strategic role in the Brazilian economy, particularly in the state of Mato Grosso, which holds one of the largest cattle herds in the country. However, pasture degradation remains one of the main challenges to the sustainability of livestock systems, reducing productivity, compromising natural resource conservation, and limiting land-use efficiency. In this context, remote sensing has become an important tool for monitoring pasture conditions and supporting management strategies and public policies aimed at restoring degraded areas. This study aimed to evaluate pasture conditions in the Immediate Geographic Regions of Tangará da Serra and Mirassol d'Oeste, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, by analyzing the temporal evolution of vegetation vigor and pasture degradation between 2010 and 2024. The study adopted a descriptive approach using secondary data obtained from the MapBiomas platform and the Atlas of Pastures (LAPIG/UFG). Total pasture area, areas classified as low, medium, and high vegetation vigor, and the Pasture Degradation Index (PDI) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's multiple comparison test, linear regression, and panel data models. Tangará da Serra presented a larger average pasture area (116,885.94 ha) and a higher mean PDI (0.45), whereas Mirassol d'Oeste showed an average pasture area of 108,186.41 ha and a mean PDI of 0.33. Significant differences among municipalities were observed in both regions (p < 0.0001), demonstrating high spatial heterogeneity in pasture conditions. Temporal analysis revealed annual fluctuations in pasture area and degradation levels; however, no statistically significant increasing or decreasing trend was detected between 2010 and 2024. It is concluded that Tangará da Serra exhibited greater pasture degradation than Mirassol d'Oeste and that both regions showed marked spatial variability among municipalities, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and region-specific strategies to support pasture restoration and strengthen public policies for sustainable livestock production.