A map of vegetation cover produced by the Brazilian Federal Government divides the Cerrado into two great blocks; savannahs and forested areas. Within them almost thirty different types of vegetation have been identified and classified according to elevation, proximity of rivers and watercourses, tree heights and other characteristics.

The mapping work revealed the existence of some remaining stands of original vegetation in a well-preserved condition and others in intensely fragmented as well as areas that have been cleared to make way for crop and cattle farming and urban occupation.