Human activities have degraded more than a third of the remaining Amazon rainforest
Logged and burned sections of the Brazilian rainforest. (Erica Berenger)
The Amazon rainforest has been degraded far more than scientists previously thought, with more than one-third of its remaining area under human influence, according to a new study. new research in the magazine science.
Large swaths of the Amazon have been completely deforested, and many previous studies have focused on this. The new paper shows that as much as 38% of the remaining area – equivalent to 10 times the size of the UK – is subject to some form of human disturbance. Among other things, this leads to biodiversity loss and carbon emissions equal to or greater than those caused by deforestation, the researchers said.
The authors identify the main disturbances as edge effects (which destroy habitat and cause ecological changes in forests adjacent to areas of deforestation); logging, much of it illegal; uncontrolled fires; and extreme drought. Many areas are affected by multiple disturbances.
The findings come from a review of previously released satellite imagery data, as well as a synthesis of other published data covering the period 2001 to 2018. Degradation differs from deforestation, in which forests are completely cleared and used for new land uses, such as agriculture, was established. Although highly degraded forests may lose nearly all their trees, land use itself does not change.
The study was carried out by a team of 35 scientists from seven countries including Brazil, Colombia, Germany and the United States.
“An important takeaway from this study is that forest degradation and deforestation do not necessarily follow a linear trajectory,” said co-author Hannah Liddy of the Columbia Climate Institute. Center for Climate System Research. “The processes that lead to forest degradation may be different from the processes that lead to deforestation. Therefore, policies to address these problems must also be different.”
The team expects that by 2050, regardless of growth or suppression of deforestation, the four main drivers of degradation will continue to be the main sources of carbon emissions.
“Even in an optimistic scenario, when there is no more deforestation, the effects of climate change can lead to deforestation, leading to more carbon emissions,” said lead author David Rapolla of the University of Campinas in Brazil.
“Few people benefit from the degradation process, but many suffer losses in all aspects of human well-being, including health, nutrition and the places they live in the forested landscapes to which they are attached,” said co-author Rachel Carmenta from the University. East Anglia, in England.
The authors recommend establishing a forest degradation monitoring system, as well as preventing and stopping illegal logging and controlling fire use. One proposal is the concept of a “smart forest,” which, like the concept of a “smart city,” would use different types of technology and sensors to collect data that could be used to help conserve resources.
Adapted from a press release from the Bori Agency in Brazil.
