The complex relationship between cattle ranching and the forest in Brazilian Amazonia. A multiagent modelling approach

Abstract

In Amazonia, cattle ranching plays a particular role in the construction of new territory, especially because it affects the Amazon Rainforest, the conservation of which represents very high stakes. There is a wide and obvious gap between on the one hand local actors, pioneers seeking better living conditions and for whom the natural forest is perceived as a simple reserve of fertility and, on the other hand, the international community concerned by environmental impact. We describe several versions of a multi-agent model and their results as information sharing between stakeholders as along with new research questions regarding agro-ecological intensification and the drawing up of durable public policies. Although it has been designed to represent local dynamics, this model could probably be used in other Amazonian areas.