Abstract
Deforestation maps derived from Landsat Multi-Spectral Scanner (MSS) and Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery were used to analyse spatial patterns of deforestation in the 1970s and the 1991-1997 period in Brazilian Legal Amazonia. Nearly 90% of the deforestation has occurred within 100 km from major roads established under federal development programmes. Clearings larger than 50 ha and 200 ha accounted, respectively, for 74% and 50% of the total deforestation in the 1991-1997 period. Results show that more intense deforestation has been concentrated over some regions, leading to the continuous enlargement of forest clearings and contributing to aggravate deforestation impacts in such areas.

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