Brazil: deforestation jumps in world’s largest savanna as scientists raise alarm

Destruction of trees, grasses and other plants in the Cerrado is a major source of Brazil's greenhouse gas emissions

Deforestation last year rose to the highest level since 2015 in Brazil's Cerrado, prompting scientists on Monday to raise alarm over the state of the world's most species-rich savanna and a major carbon sink that helps to stave off climate change.

The Cerrado, the world's largest savanna spread across several states of Brazil, is often called an upside-down forest" because of the deep roots its plants sink into the ground to survive seasonal droughts and fires.