38% of Remaining Amazon Forest Area Affected by Human Disturbance

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(IN BRIEF) A new study led by an international team of scientists from institutions including Brazil’s University of Campinas, the Amazon Environmental Research Institute and the University of East Anglia and Lancaster University in the UK, found that over a third of the remaining Amazon rainforest has been degraded by human activities. This is more than previously believed and includes carbon emissions equivalent to or greater than those from deforestation. The study, published in the journal Science, suggests creating a monitoring system for forest degradation, as well as preventing and curbing illegal logging and controlling the use of fire. The authors also propose the concept of “smart forests” which would use technology and sensors to improve the environment.

(PRESS RELEASE) NORWICH, 27-Jan-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — University of East Anglia, a public research university based in Norwich, England, announces that a new research from an international team of scientists and researchers, including institutions such as Brazil’s University of Campinas, the Amazon Environmental Research Institute, and the University of East Anglia and Lancaster University in the UK, reveals that the Amazon rainforest has been degraded to a much greater extent than previously believed. The study, published today in the journal Science, found that up to 38% of the remaining Amazon forest area, equivalent to 10 times the size of the UK, has been affected by some form of human disturbance, causing carbon emissions equivalent to or greater than those from deforestation.

The research, which was conducted as part of the Analysis, Integration and Modelling of the Earth System (AIMES) project and linked to the Future Earth international initiative, is based on an analytical review of previously published scientific data, including satellite imagery and a synthesis of published data outlining changes in the Amazon region between 2001 and 2018. The authors define the concept of degradation as transient or long-term changes in forest conditions caused by humans, which is different from deforestation, where the forest is removed altogether.

The study identified four key disturbances driving forest degradation: forest fire, edge effects, selective logging, and extreme drought. The authors also noted that different forest areas can be affected by one or more of these disturbances. The scientists assess that the degradation of the Amazon also has significant socioeconomic impacts, which should be further investigated in the future.

In a projection made by the team for 2050, the four degradation factors will continue to be major sources of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, regardless of the growth or suppression of deforestation of the forest. To combat this, the authors propose creating a monitoring system for forest degradation, as well as prevention and curbing of illegal logging and controlling the use of fire. They also suggest the concept of ‘smart forests’, which would use different types of technologies and sensors to collect useful data in order to improve the quality of the environment.

“Degradation benefits the few, but places important burdens on many,” said co-author Dr Rachel Carmenta, a lecturer in climate change and international development at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and School of Global Development at UEA.

“Few people profit from the degradation processes, yet many lose out across all dimensions of human well-being – including health, nutrition and the place attachments held for the forest landscapes where they live.

“Furthermore, many of these burdens are hidden at present; recognising them will help enable better governance with social justice at the centre.”

Jos Barlow, a professor of conservation science at Lancaster University and co-author of the paper, said: “Despite uncertainty about the total effect of these disturbances, it is clear that their cumulative effect can be as important as deforestation for carbon emissions and biodiversity loss.”

“Even in an optimistic scenario, when there is no more deforestation, the effects of climate change will see degradation of the forest continue, leading to further carbon emissions,” said Dr David Lapola, leader of the study and researcher at the Centre for Meteorological and Climatic Research Applied to Agriculture at Unicamp.

However, he added: “Preventing the advance of deforestation remains vital, and could also allow more attention to be directed to other drivers of forest degradation.”

“Public and private actions and policies to curb deforestation will not necessarily address degradation as well,” said Dr Lapola. “It is necessary to invest in innovative strategies.”

‘The drivers and impacts of Amazon forest degradation’ is published in Science on January 27.

SOURCE: University of East Anglia