Landscape Changes along BR-158 between Sant’Ana do Livramento and Rosário do Sul (RS)

Abstract

Introduction: The Campanha Gaúcha has historically been marked by pastoral landscapes and extensive cattle ranching. In recent decades, however, this scenario has changed with the expansion of agribusiness, especially soybean monoculture. Objectives: This article aims to understand the impacts of agribusiness expansion on the rural landscape along BR-158, between the municipalities of Sant’Ana do Livramento and Rosário do Sul, from 2005 to 2024. Methods: A quantitative and qualitative approach was used, including bibliographic review, analysis of MapBiomas data, and fieldwork with photographic records comparing 2009 and 2024. Results: The data show a significant reduction in native grasslands and a notable increase in temporary crops, mainly soybean cultivation. The images reveal a landscape transformed by mechanization, technological advances, and large agribusiness ventures. Conclusion: The observed changes reflect a reconfiguration of land use, in which traditional practices are being replaced by a global market-driven productive logic. The landscape of the Campanha Gaúcha emerges as a territory in transition, highlighting the complexity of agribusiness-driven socio-spatial dynamics.