From space and from the ground: determining forest dynamics in settlement projects in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has been partially attributed to the establishment of settlement projects. Acknowledging the difficulties in quantifying the rate and patterns of deforestation, the objective of this paper is to determine forest dynamics (deforestation and reforestation) in areas where settlement projects have been established, at multiple levels and using different methods. Using satellite images from 1985 to 2010, a study was conducted in five settlement projects in Pará State, aiming to determine forest dynamics at municipal and settlement levels. At property level, participatory maps were constructed to understand settlers' perception of forest/non-forest areas. The results show that reforestation is the current process in the municipality and in some settlements. Settlers, however, perceive areas with secondary regrowth as potentially fertile cropland and might deforest again in the future. More research is needed to elucidate whether the observed reforestation will lead to a forest transition or is merely a temporary trend.De l'espace et du terrain: les dynamiques déterminantes des forêts au sein des projets de colonies en Amazonie, la région Brésilienne F.H. DINIZ, K. KOK, M.C. HOTT, M.A. HOOGSTRA-KLEIN et B. ARTSLa déforestation de l'Amazonie Brésilienne est en partie attribuée à l'établissement de projets de colonisation. Connaissant les difficultés de quantifier les taux et les modes de déforestation, l'objectif de ce rapport est de déterminer les dynamiques de la forêt (déforestation et reboisement) dans les zones où des projets de campement ont été établis, à de multiples échelles en utilisant différentes méthodes. En analysant des images satellites de 1985 à 2010, une étude fut conduite sur cinq projets d'installation dans l'Etat du Pará, visant à déterminer les dynamiques de la forêt à l'échelle de la municipalité et à l'échelle du campement. A l'échelle individuelle, des cartes construites via la participation des colons furent utilisées afin de comprendre la perception des colons par rapport aux zones forestières et non-forestières. Les résultats montrent que le reboisement est un processus actuel au niveau de la municipalité et sur quelques campements. Cependant, les colons perçoivent les zones de régénération secondaire comme potentiellement fertiles pour la culture et risquent de déforester une nouvelle fois ces zones dans le futur. Ainsi, de plus amples recherches sont nécessaires afin de savoir si le reboisement observé conduira à une forêt de transition écologique ou si celui-ci n'est plutôt qu'une étape temporaire.Desde el espacio hasta el suelo: Identificando las dinámicas de los bosques donde existieron proyectos de desarrollo en la Amazonia Brasilera F.H. DINIZ, K. KOK, M.C. HOTT, M.A. HOOGSTRA-KLEIN y B. ARTSLos proyectos de desarrollo han sido catalogados como responsables, en algún grado, de la deforestación en la Amazonia Brasilera. Conociendo las dificultades ya identificadas por otros autores, en la determinación de las tasas y los patrones de deforestación, po...

Mapping future changes in livelihood security and environmental sustainability based on perceptions of small farmers in the Brazilian Amazon

“…The second would involve identifying the appropriate point on the trade-off curve, for example, the optimal level of wellbeing, or the optimal level of forest cover, cognizant of the biophysical, economic, and political consequences of forest conversion (Kaimowitz et al 1998, Sunderlin et al 2005. We know from a previous study (Diniz et al 2013a) that signs of forest transition appeared in the municipality and on some properties in the period from 2005 to 2010, showing the possibility of a winwin outcome between livelihood security and environmental sustainability in the livestock and diversified clusters. Consequently, policies such as the Ministry of Environment's "green grant" (bolsa-verde; MMA 2013) that maintain and expand secondary forest in the municipality are recommended.…”

“…2). Covering about 3000 km², the municipality has undergone an intensive process of deforestation in the past decades (Diniz et al 2013a). From 1985 to 2010, forest cover shrank from about 85% to roughly 10% of the municipality's total area (INPE/PRODES 2012).…”

Scientific Culture, Power and Sustainability in Environmental Intervention Schemes

“…We could cite for example methodologies such as the multi-agent simulation model [36], or models based on diffuse logic [37], as well as the design of scenarios using multimethod techniques [38], along with assessment "for" sustainability [rather than assessment "of" sustainability] [39] and participatory integrated assessment [40]. There are also systems of indicators systematized by dimensions, like that of ecosystems services [41], with its roots in classic systems theory [42], and systems of indicators for the most difficult-to-measure features of an environmental complex [43].…”

Anthropic Processes and Land-Use Change During 33 Years in Roraima, Northern Amazonia

“…Among the processes involved in land-use change, and the resulting fragmentation and subsequent abandonment of these colonized lands (Diniz, Kok, Hott, Hoogstra-Klein, & Arts, 2013) are the widespread failures of recent colonists to adequately manage and conserve their lands, due to the very low fertility of the soil (Melo, Schaefer, Fontes, Chagas, & Lemos Júnior, 2006), and insufficient public policies supporting rural development. Together, these have combined to create high rates of abandonment among recent colonists, putting pressure on clearing new areas of native forests (Schaefer, 1997).…”

“…Studies of the rhythm, extent, and spatial characteristics of land-use changes have been conducted the areas surrounding agricultural settlements (Almeida & Campari, 1995;Diniz et al, 2013). Together these have allowed the identification of, factors that sustainable management of regional forests to be aligned with agricultural expansion and the opening of local markets.…”