A new study says reforestation efforts in Brazil’s southern Amazon have brought more than 12,000 hectares of degraded land back into recovery. The findings point to a significant improvement in the region’s ability to absorb carbon, underscoring the climate value of restoring damaged forests.

The research adds to growing evidence that large-scale forest recovery can make a measurable difference in areas hit by deforestation and land-use change. By rebuilding tree cover across previously cleared land, the project appears to be strengthening one of the planet’s most important natural carbon sinks.

The southern Amazon has long faced pressure from logging, farming and other forms of land conversion. Scientists say restoration efforts in the region are especially important because the forest plays a central role in global climate regulation and biodiversity protection.

While the study highlights encouraging progress, experts generally note that long-term protection depends on preventing new deforestation and maintaining restored areas over time. The latest results suggest that targeted restoration can help, but lasting gains will require sustained policy and conservation efforts.