World of Change: Amazon Deforestation

Overview

• Region Focus: Rondônia, Brazil, one of the most deforested parts of the Amazon.
• Once covered by 208,000 sq km of forest, Rondônia has undergone rapid deforestation.
• Deforestation Timeline:
  • 1978: 4,200 sq km cleared
  • 1988: 30,000 sq km cleared
  • 1998: 53,300 sq km cleared
  • 2003: 67,764 sq km cleared (larger than West Virginia)

Satellite Monitoring

• Tools Used: MODIS on NASA's Terra satellite.
• Imagery: Shows intact forest (deep green) and cleared areas (tan or light green).
• Deforestation Progression: Roads and clearings expanded toward the Jaciparaná River and along the road into Nova Mamoré.

Deforestation Patterns

• Fishbone Pattern: Initial clearings appear along roads, forming a fishbone shape.
• Conversion Process:
  • Legal/illegal roads allow access.
  • Small farmers clear land for crops.
    • Soil depletion leads to conversion to cattle pasture.
    • Land eventually sold or abandoned to large cattle operations.

Vegetation Changes

• Study Period: 2000-2008
• Mapping Changes: Vegetation index data from MODIS.
• Colors Indicating Change:
  • Red: Loss of vegetation.
  • Peach: Little to no change.
  • Intense Red: Complete clearing of original rainforest.
  • Less Intense Red: Transition from logged forest/crops to pasture.

Global Context

• Broader Impact: Tropical forests are disappearing globally for agriculture, impacting the Americas, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia.
• Consequences:
  • Social conflict and human rights issues.
  • Extinction of species.
  • Climate change impacts.

Additional Resources

• Images and Animations: Rondônia Deforestation 1975-2001, Goddard Space Flight Center.
• United Nations Environment Programme: Atlas of Our Changing Environment.

References

• Lindsey, R. (2007). "Tropical Deforestation."
• Pedlowski, M., et al. (2005). "Conservation units: a new deforestation frontier in the Amazonian state of Rondônia, Brazil."
• Pedlowski, M., et al. (1997). "Patterns and impacts of deforestation in Rondônia, Brazil."