  The aim of this paper is to present the results of the land use dynamic
simulations in the municipality of Paragominas-PA. The simulation is based on
models built from past land use data and spatial variables of the natural
environment and infrastructure. Two spatial units were analyzed: the central
area of commercial agricultural production and the area of settlements and
smallholdings the east. The results show distinct spatial dynamics between the
analyzed areas, among which we highlight the role of soil characteristics and,
associated with the topography and the occupation history, are part of the
context in which is defined rationality producers. Considering the transition
from forest to pasture in the commercial farming area most often associated
soils are sandy. This raises the following hypothesis: the deforestation that
occurred in the period are related to livestock activities. Livestock favors
access to water and low fertility sands does not affect production. On the
other hand, the soybean expansion occurred preferentially on existing pastures
and on clay soils (Belterra clay), reducing the availability of pastures on
these soils. The relative importance of types of soil increases with time. In
the area of settlements, the transition from forest to pasture and family crops
occurred preferentially on the variegated clay. However, it is possible that
the prevalence of this transition on this texture has been given due more to
the history of occupation of this area. Historically the sandy valleys were the
first to be occupied, and the continuity of the deforestation occurred toward
the slopes dominated by variegated clay and plateaus with Belterra clay. These
associations observed indicate that, within a wider context of social, economic
and political factors, natural variable factors in space are important for the
choice of managements in the properties, but they are done differently in the
territory, and the best knowledge of these relationships are useful for
territorial planning.
