Since 2010, ICMBio has conducted in situ monitoring programmes in several federal protected areas in the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Caatinga and Cerrado biomes. More generally, Brazil should invest in monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of protected areas in delivering their expected environmental, social and economic benefits as a way to build political and society support for protected areas and mobilise the necessary resources. There is, therefore, room to better exploit economic opportunities related to Brazil’s natural wealth and protected areas.