EXPLORE
For this project we researched the multiple types of deforestation and, how much each type contributes to the overall deforestation of the Amazon. We also looked at legislation surrounding reforestation programs and deforestation limits in the Brazilian sector of the Rainforest. Furthermore, we also researched the extent to which deforestation occurs on indigenous territory. Although this was not directly related to our essential question, it provided a look into other forms of sustainability. Finally, we collected statistics on the change in the amount of deforestation, over time. We were able to find layers on arcGIS that show; indigenous territory, deforestation occurrence in 2000-2013, and deforestation fronts that showing what type of deforestation is occurring where. We also have a layer showing direct and indirect protected areas. We’ve included a basic map of the amazon, a map on carbon store in the Amazon, and a map showing the concentration of biodiverse regions. We have charts comparing deforestation amounts for the years 1998 to 2015. This page contains a pie charts showing the ratio between different causes of deforestation (tropical included).
While observing our data several patterns became apparent. In recent years there has been a general downward trend in the amount of deforestation occurring. We were also surprised to learn that logging accounts for only 2% of deforestation. This means that the vast amount of trees removed are not actually used. Furthermore, we also observed the general (but not constant) trend of deforestation zones avoiding indigenous territory.
In this layer of our ArcGis map we created for the Amazon forest of Brazil, the protected areas are shown.
In this layer of the ArcGis map we managed to find something called deforestation front points. These points represent which direction the trees are being deforested.
In this image we decided to combine three main layers; protected/indigenous lands, and deforestation from 2000-2013
In this layer of our ArcGis map we created for the Amazon forest of Brazil, the protected areas are shown.
Layer 1: Protected Areas:
In this layer of our ArcGis map we created for the Amazon forest of Brazil the light green shadding represents how much land the forest covers. In this particular layer, the ArcGis map shows the protected lands represented by the blue patches on the map. This means that those involved in the act of deforestation are forbidden for deforesting those parts of the amazonian forest.
Layer 2: Deforestation Front Points:
In this layer of the ArcGis map we managed to find something called deforestation front points. These points are pointing in three different general directions; North, East and South. Whichever way the corresponding arrow is facing, represents the direction that deforestation will be taking place. For example, is an arrow is facing south, deforestation will take place going South. Each direction has a different colour, which represents the type of deforestation going on in that region and why the deforestation is taking place. The red arrows represent deforesting for things like cattle ranching, soy production, rice production, informal gold mining, illegal gold mining, charcoal production, biofuel plantation, agriculture and much more.
Layer 3: Indigenous Land:
In this ArcGis layer, the orange patches represent indigenous lands in the Brazilian Amazon. These specific parts of land in the Amazon are also forbidden to those involved in deforestation. “Indigenous” land in other words, means native land. According to some there are indigenous warriors and tribes who roam through these parts of land and have been known to attack loggers and those involved in the act of deforestation. Despite this, there are reports of indigenous communities being cleared out by loggers.
Riot police close in on a group of protesters
Photograph: Evaristo Sa/AFP/Getty Images
Ka'apor warriors stand guard over illegal loggers they tied up during a jungle expedition
Layer 4: Deforestation between 2000 and 2013:
In this layer of the ArcGis map, it is much easier to see the outline of the Amazonian forest. The green represents the forest itself. The red parts represent the parts of the forest which have been deforested added up together between the years of 2000 and 2013. The areas shaded in grey are the areas of forest which have been deforested in past years, before the year 2000. As you can see, the Amazonian forest has decreased significantly over the course of 13 years, has destroyed land and is endangering and possibly causing beautiful species to become extinct.
Layer 5: Protected areas, indeginous land and deforestation from 2000-201:
In this layer we decided to add all the layers together all in one in order to show how each of them correspond to one another. To recap which colours mean what; green = forest, orange = indigenous lands, blue = protected lands, red and grey = past/2000-2013 deforested land. By playing around with the layers we found that the protected and indigenous lands are well respected by the loggers and others involved in the deforestation the majority of the time. We were able to see this by turning layers on and off, to figure out of if the protected/indigenous areas matched up with the deforested areas kind of like a puzzle.
GAPMINDER
The above Gapminder illustrates the changes in wood removal (Y-Axis) and trees planted (X-Axis) that Ecuador, Brazil, Suriname, French Guiana, Peru and Colombia experienced between 1990 and 2005. It is important to note that this information is not exclusive to the Amazon, meaning that some of the data used will apply to the areas of these countries that do not fall within the geographical area known as the Amazon Rainforest. Despite this, these countries borders do fall within the Amazon so these statistics will still give the viewer a rough idea of what these countries policies are regarding wood removal and reforestation.
When discussing sustainability, it is important, in theory at least, that the final trees planted should be greater than or equal to the trees removed. However, in practice this is not always the case. None of the countries this Gapminder examines are anywhere close to meeting this goal.
The Gapminder also highlights how all these countries have relatively similar wood removal and reforestation trends if the geographical size of the country, and the size of it’s population is taken into account.
TOPIC RESEARCH
Revisions to the Brazilian Forest Code
According to pachamama.org:
On may 28th 2012 the Brazilian government announced its revisions to the Forest code (legislation that applies to the Amazon Rainforest).
According to the revisions:
-Parties who are responsible for the destruction of rainforest land will be legally required to completely reforest the land (with the exception of small farmers who will only have to reforest 20 percent of the deforested land).
-Any landowner who does not register with the Environmental Registry within five years will face fines and be denied bank loans.
-Protection of Riverbanks will be gutted.
-The revisions apply to land use that has occurred post-2008.
CPI STUDY
According to an analysis done by the think tank known as the Climate Policy Initiative, around 50% of the 75% drop in yearly Brazilian deforestation since 2004 has been due to lower prices for beef and soy, as well as a stronger currency. This clearly points to the source of a large percentage of deforestation being beef and soy farming. The remaining cut to deforestation was caused by government policies. These statistics are extremely encouraging to sustainability advocates because they prove that a difference can be made.
The Brazilian Sinaflor project:
The Sinaflor project is a section of the Brazilian forest code (2012). The purpose of Sinaflor is to give the federal government a system that regulates the supply chain of timber.
"The new system offers a much more comprehensive process of control, What’s not in Sinaflor will be illegal timber.”" said Suely Araújo, president of Ibama.