Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon declined by 7% in 2024, but forest degradation increased dramatically by 497% due to fires in drought-affected areas. Imazon reported that degradation reached 36,379 square kilometers, the highest in 15 years. Leading states include Pará, experiencing significant losses in both deforestation and degradation. These trends pose serious threats to the Amazon’s ecosystem and biodiversity.
In 2024, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon decreased by 7% compared to the previous year, as reported by Imazon, a Brazil-based organization utilizing satellite imagery to monitor rainforest changes. Despite this decrease, forest degradation surged by 497%, largely due to extensive fires that ravaged dry regions of the rainforest.
Previous data by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) supports these findings, noting a 31% decline in deforestation for the period ending July 31, 2024. However, a notable increase in soil degradation was also recorded by INPE’s DETER alert system.
Imazon identified a staggering 36,379 square kilometers of degraded land in 2024, marking the highest degradation levels in 15 years. In contrast, only 6,092 square kilometers were reported as degraded in 2023. Pará state led in deforestation and degradation, with 1,260 km² forest loss and 17,195 km² of affected land, respectively.
Consequentially, severe drought conditions have intensified challenges for the Amazon, as two successive years of extreme dryness facilitated fires in areas that usually maintain high humidity. The escalating effects of climate change, compounded by ongoing deforestation and degradation, further destabilize this critical ecosystem.
Scientists express concerns regarding the Amazon’s vulnerability, foreseeing potential disruptions to continental rainfall patterns and a decline in species reliant on the rainforest. While deforestation has shown signs of slowing in the past three years, the threat posed by forest degradation remains significant for the Amazon’s survival.
The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, playing a crucial role in global carbon storage and biodiversity. Deforestation and forest degradation are pressing issues, exacerbated by climate change and human activities such as agriculture, logging, and unregulated land use. Monitoring these changes through satellite imagery helps inform conservation efforts and shapes environmental policies aimed at preserving this vital ecosystem.
In summary, while deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has decreased slightly in 2024, the alarming rise in forest degradation highlights significant challenges ahead. Persistent drought conditions and rampant fires are contributing to a precarious situation that threatens the stability of the entire ecosystem. Urgent measures are necessary to address both deforestation and degradation to ensure the long-term survival of the Amazon rainforest.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
