Smallholders and Climate Change in the South Brazilian Amazon Rainforest: Perceptions, Trends and Challenges.

The Brazilian Amazon Rainforest comprises a high diversity of stakeholders, ranging from indigenous people to commodities farmers, and also smallholders. This region faces major social, environmental and economic challenges that may be intensified by climate change. The present research provides the perception of smallholders concerning changes in precipitation and temperature at the municipality of Matupa, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The smallholder’s perception respecting changes in precipitation was compared with pluviometric trends identified for the study area. Both analyses resulted on a rainfall reduction scenario, well as a delay in the beginning of the rainy season. Regarding temperature, there is a perception of change and higher temperatures. In this new climate scenario that has been designing for the region, drought events and consequently burnings appear as a challenge to smallholder’s livestock and agriculture, their health and the ecosystem services provided by the forest.