The Gran Chaco is South America's second-largest native forest region, spanning approximately 1.1 million square kilometres across Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. It is a globally important ecosystem, home to thousands of plant and animal species, including rare and endangered wildlife.
Despite its ecological importance, the Gran Chaco has experienced extensive deforestation over recent decades, driven primarily by the expansion of cattle ranching and commercial agriculture.
Between 1985 and 2016, approximately 14.2 million hectares of forest were lost across the Gran Chaco, representing around 20% of its forest cover. Paraguay has experienced particularly significant forest loss, with large areas of native forest converted into agricultural land.
The expansion of cattle ranching presents an ongoing threat to the region's remaining forests. In parts of the Paraguayan Chaco, landowners can legally convert substantial portions of their land into agricultural use, creating economic incentives for continued deforestation.
Beyond the release of stored carbon, forest conversion threatens the region's biodiversity, fragments critical wildlife habitats and places additional pressure on the natural resources upon which local communities depend.
