Deforestation In Amazon Research Articles

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT BASED ON SOIL LOSS, DEFORESTATION IN PERMANENT PRESERVATION AREAS, AND WATER QUALITY APPLIED IN THE ITACAIÚNAS WATERSHED, EASTERN AMAZON.

To understand how various environmental pressures may threaten the Amazon territory, specifically its hydrographic basins, it is crucial to guide key management actions such as soil conservation, environmental preservation, and forest restoration. This paper, based on a detailed study conducted in the Itacaiúnas River Watershed (IRW) located in the Carajás mining province—one of the most significant metallogenetic provinces globally and within the Arc of Deforestation in the Amazon—proposes a new index to assess environmental threats or vulnerabilities. The index evaluates soil loss, deforestation in permanent preservation areas, and water quality—key environmental issues in watershed management. Using geoprocessing and remote sensing techniques, we applied the index across the entire catchment area and at the beginning of the drainage network (a proxy for river springs). Our findings reveal that: i) 68% of unit catchments (32% of headwaters) exhibit “High” or “Very High” soil loss vulnerability; ii) 69% of unit catchments (32% of headwaters) have more than 20% of their permanent preservation areas deforested, representing the primary threat among the three criteria to the basin; iii) Only 4.7% of unit catchments (2% of headwaters) present any chemical risk related to water consumption. The combined criteria (simple arithmetic mean of normalized values) indicate that the east-central and southern parts of the watershed have higher index values, necessitating greater attention to soil conservation. In contrast, the center-western area of the basin, characterized by conservation units and indigenous land, showed low index values but remains at risk primarily due to soil loss if environmental preservation actions are not maintained.

Challenges in implementing COP 21 obligations in Brazil until 2022

The article examines the challenges Brazil faced in implementing its obligations under the Paris Agreement (COP 21) up to 2022, focusing on the agricultural, energy, and transportation sectors, while also addressing the political obstacles that complicated the process. The study highlights the need for an integrated and coordinated approach, emphasizing the importance of public policies aimed at promoting clean energy, sustainable transportation, and more environmentally friendly agricultural practices. The Brazilian case reveals specific difficulties, including deforestation in the Amazon, the scarcity of financial resources, and economic pressures that often prioritize economic growth over environmental concerns. The article also explores the complexities of Brazil's political and economic context, discussing the challenges of balancing economic development with environmental sustainability. Despite the ambitious goals set by the Paris Agreement, the lack of coercive mechanisms and internal political divergences represent significant barriers to the effective implementation of environmental measures in the country, requiring greater commitment and coordination between public and private sectors.

Economic complexity and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon

As the Amazon rainforest faces ever-increasing deforestation, finding a balance between conservation and economic progress becomes imperative. This study investigates the relationship between regional economic complexity (ECI-R) and deforestation in municipalities within the Brazilian Amazon between 2006 and 2021. Employing different econometric techniques, we untangle the multifaceted factors determining land use choices while considering variables associated with agriculture, extraction, and livestock activities. Rigorous testing confirms the validity of our findings. The results suggest an “environmental Kuznets curve” at play in the Amazon. This means that a slight increase in regional economic complexity (0.1 unit) initially leads to a significant rise in deforestation (28 %) but is followed by a decrease (8.4 %) in the following year. Interestingly, environmental fines appear to be a powerful tool for controlling deforestation. Further analysis using Probit regressions reinforces the key roles of economic complexity and environmental enforcement. Municipalities with higher regional complexity were 20 % more likely to experience low deforestation and high employment growth between 2006 and 2011. However, this trend reversed in later periods. Ultimately, the results indicate a complex relationship between economic complexity and deforestation. These findings highlight governments’ critical role in promoting sustainable development in the Amazon. There are limits to such an approach but supporting “green” industries and curbing deforestation-related activities can steer the region towards a more prosperous and environmentally responsible future.

Amazon deforestation and CO2 emissions: A macroeconomic approach using the GVAR

AbstractWe analyzed the relationship between economic variables, Amazon deforestation, and CO2 emissions in Brazil. We used a macroeconomic approach of a system of open economies (global vector autoregressive [GVAR]). We constructed the international economy using 34 countries, representing 77% of the world GDP and 80% of world CO2 emissions. GVAR allows us to simulate the world economy, capture spillover effects, incorporate the externality of gas emissions, treating Brazil as a small open economy, and including trade integration in the analysis. We found that domestic and external shocks affect Amazon deforestation and CO2 emissions; the principal external shock is the Chinese one, followed by the European and the US shocks. China, directly and indirectly, affects CO2 emissions and deforestation in Brazil through two channels (exchange rates and policy rates). The estimates showed that Brazilian currency and commodity prices are relevant for deforestation, while industrial production is for gas emissions. Other results are that (i) the Brazilian economy affects CO2 emissions in Latin America (and the principal influence of China is on Asia), and (ii) the Chinese shock loses importance when using bilateral trade in 1999–2001, when China was not a fundamental trade partner of Brazil. Alternative model configurations demonstrate that soybean prices and Argentina influence Brazilian carbon emissions and Amazon deforestation. Specifically, soybean prices emerge as a major driver of carbon emissions. These results suggest that geography and trade integration matter to understanding Amazon deforestation and CO2 emissions. Our estimates highlight the importance of government policies and international cooperation in curbing Amazon deforestation.

Fiscal policy and deforestation

We investigate the impact of fiscal policy on deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon and Atlantic Forests. We first construct a theoretical dynamic model to examine the effects of government spending and tax revenues on the environment. We then run a VAR model to test the implications of fiscal policies on Brazilian deforestation, using data from June 1998 to May 2022. Our results suggest that government expenditures reduce deforestation in both forests. Moreover, deficit-inducing and balanced-budget fiscal policy shocks have dampening effects on deforestation, with the latter being more effective. This is good news for developing countries like Brazil. They can combat deforestation through fiscal policy in a way that doesn't worsen their fiscal situation. Our findings were unaltered when we considered the effects of a simulated fiscal policy based on spending on public goods only (social assistance, science and technology, defense, education, health, national security, and transportation).

Spatiotemporal relationship between agriculture, livestock, deforestation, and visceral leishmaniasis in Brazilian legal Amazon

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an urgent public health concern in Brazil. We evaluated the spatiotemporal distribution of VL to better understand the effects of economic activities related to agriculture, livestock, and deforestation on its incidence in the Brazilian Legal Amazon (BLA). The data on newly confirmed cases of VL in Brazilian municipalities from 2007 to 2020 were extracted from the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) and analyzed. The data on agricultural production (planted area in hectares) and livestock (total number of cattle) were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), whereas deforestation data (in hectares) were obtained from the Amazon Deforestation Estimation Project (PRODES). SatScan and the local indicators of spatial association (LISA) were used to identify the spatial and temporal patterns of VL and its relationships with economic and environmental variables. The cumulative incidence rate was found to be 4.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Based on the LISA results, areas with a high incidence of VL and deforestation were identified in the states of Roraima, Pará, and Maranhão. Strengthening deforestation monitoring programs and environmental enforcement actions can help implement public policies to control illegal deforestation and mitigate the socio-environmental vulnerability in the BLA. Therefore, areas identified in this study should be prioritized for controlling VL.

Analysis of environmental variables and deforestation in the amazon using logistical regression models.

In this study, we applied a multivariate logistic regression model to identify deforested areas and evaluate the current effects on environmental variables in the Brazilian state of Rondônia, located in the southwestern Amazon region using data from the MODIS/Terra sensor. The variables albedo, temperature, evapotranspiration, vegetation index, and gross primary productivity were analyzed from 2000 to 2022, with surface type data from the PRODES project as the dependent variable. The accuracy of the models was evaluated by the parameters area under the curve (AUC), pseudo R2, and Akaike information criterion, in addition to statistical tests. The results indicated that deforested areas had higher albedo (25%) and higher surface temperatures (3.2°C) compared to forested areas. There was a significant reduction of the EVI (16%), indicating water stress, and a decrease in GPP (18%) and ETr (23%) due to the loss of plant biomass. The most precise model (91.6%) included only surface temperature and albedo, providing important information about the environmental impacts of deforestation in humid tropical regions.

Challenges in the Amazon Forest: an Integrative Analysis of the Social, Environmental and Economic Aspects of the Environmental Crisis

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the challenges of the Amazon forest in a three-dimensional way, evaluating the social, environmental and economic aspects in the face of the environmental crisis and aiming at commitment to future generations. Theoretical Framework: The conceptualization of the environmental crisis and the study of the economic, social and environmental dimensions stand out as the basis of the research, providing an interesting foundation for understanding the context of the investigation. Method: Integrative, descriptive study with a qualitative approach anchored in a narrative review that allowed us to converge on interpretative understanding and results regarding the social, environmental and economic aspects of the environmental crisis that is plaguing the Amazon Forest. Results and Discussion: The need to implement effective public policies, sustainable practices and dialogue between public authorities, civil society, the private sector and the community in order to preserve and develop in a sustainable way. The community of Sarayaku stands out, an example of resilience amid deforestation in the Amazon. Research Implications: Reflections involving the adverse effects arising from the contrast between deforestation and economic development in the Amazon forest. Originality/Value: The importance of a collaborative and comprehensive approach is defended, to recognize and value the complexities and interconnections of the challenges faced by the Amazon region in order to achieve better levels of environmental preservation and sustainable development as paths to protect future generations.

Estimación de la erosión en un área de deforestación en la cuenca amazónica del bajo río Acre

The Lower Acre River Basin is located in an area of deforestation with the implementation of pastures for beef cattle ranching in soils susceptible to erosion and equatorial climate. The existence of slaughterhouses and beef cattle in the municipality of Boca do Acre, in the state of Amazonas, is one of the problems linked to deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Given this scenario, an estimate of soil losses was presented with the application of the Universal Equation in a geographic information system. In the methodology, a database was elaborated with vectorized information for the extraction of the areas of the types of soils and land cover, including the spatial analysis of slopes extracted from the digital elevation model. Due to the analysis of the areas by geoprocessing occurring by vectorization, the calculations of the erosion plots were obtained through tables with the parameters adopted by the scientific references. It was found that 60% of the soil loss occurs in the area of agriculture in 11% of the territory of the watershed, being predominantly in areas of rural settlements of the state of Acre. As a result of the estimate, soil loss in the Lower Acre River Basin was 386,422 t/ha/year, with a production of 46 million tons of sediment per year.

Evaluation of deforestation, climate change and CO2 emissions in the Amazon biome using the Moran Index

Since the 1990s, the Amazon has been undergoing a severe occupation process, causing a significant increase in deforestation. This occupation occurs for various reasons, such as the expansion of agricultural areas and the extraction of raw materials, mainly through predatory logging. These factors are responsible for causing various impacts, such as an increase in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and changes in climate variables. In this context, the main objective of this work is to evaluate deforestation in the Amazon, verifying whether this problem is correlated with CO2 emission data and temperature increase, for the municipalities belonging to the biome. To this end, Moran's Index was calculated for the variables studied, and subsequently Moran's scatter diagram, significance map (LISA MAP) and Local Moran's Index map (LISA Cluster map) were generated to verify the correlations between these variables over the years. The results visualized by processing the Moran Index show that there is a high positive correlation between deforestation and CO2 emissions, especially in the municipalities located in the “arc of deforestation". With regard to the temperature variable, Moran's Index indicated that municipalities with high rates of deforested area are the same municipalities that have above-average temperature values. Finally, the work shows that the Moran's Index tool is efficient and satisfactory for data analysis and that the methodology and information provided through it can be applied to other studies and different databases, and can help decision-makers create strategies to combat and control deforestation and other problems in various regions of the country and the world.

Is there a relationship between forest fires and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon?

Is there a relationship between forest fires and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon?

Challenges for reducing carbon emissions from Land-Use and Land Cover Change in Brazil

Brazil, a crucial player in global climate change mitigation, faces challenges in reducing its carbon emissions, of which nearly half are from land use changes. Despite potential reductions that can be achieved through halting deforestation and fostering forest restoration, setbacks in environmental governance have heightened emissions. This article assesses challenges and proposes solutions for conserving and restoring Brazilian biomes in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement by 2030. Notably, net carbon emissions from land-use change and forestry increased twofold from 2017 to 2022 due to deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado. Native vegetation clearing peaked at 2.8 Mha in 2022, the largest area since 2008. The deficit of native vegetation within Legal Reserves and Permanent Protection Areas must be addressed through restoration. Achieving SDGs by 2030 demands urgent action against illegal deforestation, reinforced legislation for secondary forest protection, large-scale restoration programs, and economic incentives for forest conservation through payment for ecosystem services to rural landowners.

Economic drivers of deforestation in the Brazilian Legal Amazon

Economic drivers of deforestation in the Brazilian Legal Amazon

Heading for Sustainability in the Amazon: a Systemic Approach and Proposals to Combat Deforestation

Objective: The objective of this research is to carry out a comprehensive literature review, focusing on the period from 1988 to 2022, to systematically analyze the main anthropogenic activities responsible for deforestation in the Brazilian Legal Amazon. Theoretical reference: The theoretical framework of this research is based on the existing literature on deforestation in the Amazon, covering concepts related to anthropogenic activities, environmental impacts and conservation policies. Methodology: The method employed consists of a thorough analysis of the main scientific publication platforms and databases to compile relevant information on deforestation in the Legal Amazon. In addition, the research uses a systemic analysis to assess the future of deforestation. Results and Conclusion: The results highlight the critical areas of deforestation in the region, identifying extensive farming and illegal mining as the predominant factors. The temporal analysis projects an increase in deforestation if these activities persist. The alternatives proposed include models of sustainable agriculture, with an emphasis on preserving agrobiodiversity. The research concludes by highlighting the urgent need for more effective public policies, especially in the illegal mining sector. Research Implications: The implications of this research address the urgency of measures to tackle deforestation in the Legal Amazon, including the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. It also highlights the need for more effective public policies, especially in relation to illegal mining, which is recognized as a high-impact activity. Originality/Value: The originality of this research lies in its comprehensive approach, integrating a literature review with a temporal analysis, and proposing sustainable solutions. It contributes to understanding the challenges faced in the Legal Amazon, presenting viable directions for conservation and sustainable management, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive and effective public policies.

Indirect Impact of Deforestation: Study on Amazon Deforestation

Indirect Impact of Deforestation: Study on Amazon Deforestation

Predicting the pulse of the Amazon: Machine learning insights into deforestation dynamics

This study aims to analyze deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon from 1999 to 2020 using machine learning techniques to assess 16 critical factors. Our approach leverages the capabilities of machine learning, particularly Random Forest, which proved to be the most accurate model in terms of determination coefficient, mean squared error, and mean absolute error. The analysis revealed that the harvested area of permanent crops is the most influential variable in predicting deforestation, followed by the area of temporary crops. Furthermore, our findings indicate a significant inverse relationship between public spending and deforestation rates. These results contribute to understanding deforestation dynamics and offer potential strategies for improving conservation efforts.

Amazon Deforestation and Global Meat Consumption Trends: An Assessment of Land Use Change and Market Data from Rondônia That Shows Why We Should Consider Changing Our Diets

This paper seeks to elucidate the interrelationship between global meat consumption and deforestation in the Amazon region. To this end, empirical research is conducted to investigate land use changes in Rondônia and the expansion of pasture areas and beef production. Brazil is one of the largest beef producers in the world, with products destined for local and global markets. Based on bibliographical research, the paper analyzes maps of land use change between 1985 and 2021, using Landsat satellite imagery and the MapBiomas methodology for Landsat mosaic and classification. The research shows that beef from Rondônia is primarily purchased and consumed in Brazil, but it is also bought and sold on the international market. Landsat imagery analysis shows the predominance of forest conversion to pasture in Rondônia. The results show that deforestation in the Amazon is directly linked to the growth of cattle ranching. Land use change from native forest to pasture for beef cattle production is a reality in the Brazilian Amazon, especially in Rondônia. It suggests the urgent need for more conscious consumption and production practices as well as ethical and sustainable eating habits.

Challenges for a Brazilian Amazonian bioeconomy based on forest foods

The creation of a forest bioeconomy based on the extraction of non-timber forest products (NTFP) is being recommended to create wealth from standing forests and halt deforestation in Amazonia. Current proposals do not recognize the limits of this system, nor the impacts of capitalism that drive NTFPs with elastic demand into monoculture plantations. We use a narrative review to revisit the history of these ideas and examine public policies. Among 2,253 Amazonian NTFPs, 1,037 produce edible fruits and 131 of these are extremely abundant (hyperdominant) across the biome and common in the extractive economy. Low productivity per hectare in the forest, low return on labor to harvest the production, and scarcity of labor are three critical limits to expanding supply, with the last being the most critical in forest areas. Overcoming these limitations requires changes in public policies and public investment for health care, communication, logistics, and especially for quality education designed for rural areas and a forest bioeconomy. A mix of public policies to alleviate market failures and increase supply, efficiency, and demand via R&D, minimum prices, payment for environmental services, distinct types of certifications may be able to make food NTFP harvesting, processing, and commercialization lucrative enough to halt rural exodus and keep forest specialists in standing forests. An Amazonian forest bioeconomy depends upon both social and biodiversity, and the full participation and collaboration of Indigenous People and local communities in developing these value chains that can contribute to food security.

Riverine sediment response to deforestation in the Amazon basin

Abstract. The Amazon experiences thousands of square kilometers of deforestation annually with recent rates increasing to levels unseen since the late 2000s. These increased rates of deforestation within the basin have led to changes in sediment concentration within its river systems, with potential impacts on ecological functioning, freshwater availability, and fluvial and coastal geomorphic processes. The relationship between deforestation and fluvial sediment dynamics in the Amazon has not been extensively studied using a basin-wide, comparative approach primarily due to lack of data. In this study, we utilize a novel remote-sensing-derived sediment concentration dataset to analyze the impact of deforestation from 2001 to 2020 on suspended sediment in large rivers (>50 m wide) across the Amazon River basin. These impacts are studied using a lag-based approach to quantify the spatiotemporal relationships between observed suspended sediment and changes in land cover over time. The results show that large-scale deforestation of the Amazon during the 2001–2020 period are associated with significant changes in sediment concentration in the eastern portion of the basin. In the heavily deforested eastern regions, the hydrogeomorphic response to deforestation occurs relatively rapidly (within a year), whereas the less disturbed western areas exhibit delays of 1 to 2 years before responses are observable. Moreover, we observe that deforestation must be substantial enough to overcome the collective influences of human activities and natural sediment variations to result in a discernible impact on sediment concentration in large rivers. In 69 % of Amazonian major tributary basins with an immediate response, more than 5 % of the basin was deforested during the 2001–2020 period, while in 85 % of basins with lagged responses, less than 5 % of the land was cleared. These findings suggest severe implications for future sediment dynamics across the Amazon if deforestation is to further expand into the basin.

The Outlook of Brazilian Amazon Forest Restoration under The Leadership of President Lula da Silva

The implementation of anti-environmental policies during the conservative government under President Jair Bolsonaro has resulted in the destruction of the Brazilian Amazon forest region. The deforestation rate, which had previously decreased, started to climb significantly in 2019. The devastating forest fires that hit the Amazon at the end of this year is indivisible from the government's neglect. The re-election of Lula da Silva as President of Brazil in 2023 sparked great optimism among the Brazilians and international public for restoring Brazilian Amazon forestbecause Lula, as Brazil president for two previous periods, had succeeded in reducing the deforestation and destruction of the Brazilian Amazon forest to its lowest point in 2003-2011. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the vision of restoring the Brazilian Amazon forest under the new government of Lula da Silva. This study uses a qualitative method that relies on various information originating from government documents, related books and journals, online news reports, and several other types of secondary data. Based on the initial research, Lula has carried out multiple programs related to Amazon Forest restoration, from initiating sustainable economic development to strengthening law enforcement, protecting indigenous communities, and strengthening cooperation with the international community. As a result, the level of deforestation and forest fires in the Amazon has now followed a significant downward trend. Keywords: Amazon, Brazil, Lula da Silva