Forms of land grabbing in the Amazon: From land deals to illegal land appropriation

The takeover of land is widely known as ‘land grabbing’. This is a common form of land-related conflict, mostly associated with large-scale land acquisition. However, the term has also been used to describe similar, yet also distinct forms of land control in the Amazon region. Through a literature-based analysis, this article explores the various forms of land grabbing studied in Amazonia. We identified two main categories: ‘land deals’, which include large-scale land acquisitions and export-oriented investments, and ‘land seizures or encroachments’, which refer to land theft and expropriation. Furthermore, it can be categorized based on the participating actors and ownership, which can involve private and/or public entities. A common example is the illegal appropriation of public lands, such as conservation units, indigenous territories, or undesignated public forests, through fraudulent self-declaration of land ownership. By exploring the application of these distinct terms, this article provides an overview of the multifaceted nature of land grabbing-related conflicts in the Amazon rainforest.