Amazon deforestation satellite

Satellite for monitoring deforestation in the Amazon, essential for tracking forest loss in real time.

About this subject

Monitoring deforestation in the Amazon heavily relies on Earth observation satellites such as the Landsat series (USA), Sentinel (European Union), and CBERS (China-Brazil). Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) uses these satellite images for its PRODES program, which produces annual deforestation reports for the Legal Amazon at a spatial resolution of 30 meters per pixel. Satellites detect changes in forest cover by analyzing reflectance differences between native forest and cleared areas, identifying new clear-cuts and regrowth. Recent data show that despite a 50% reduction in deforestation in 2023 compared to 2022, the Amazon still lost about 9,000 km² of forest. Satellites like Sentinel-2 revisit the same area every 5 days, enabling near-real-time alerts, while DETER (Real-Time Deforestation Detection) issues notifications for enforcement. Combining optical sensors and radar, as in the ALOS satellite (Japan), allows monitoring even under cloudy conditions, common in the region. The precision and frequency of these data are critical for public policy, climate agreements, and environmental agencies like Ibama.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do satellites detect deforestation in the Amazon?

Satellites use optical and radar sensors to capture surface reflectance. Intact forest has a different spectral signature from cleared areas, allowing detection of changes in vegetation cover.

Which satellite is most used for deforestation monitoring in Brazil?

INPE's PRODES program primarily uses Landsat (NASA/USGS) and Sentinel (ESA) imagery. For daily alerts, DETER uses sensors like MODIS (NASA) and CBERS.

How accurate are satellite deforestation data?

Typical spatial resolution ranges from 30 meters (Landsat) to 10 meters (Sentinel-2). Detection accuracy exceeds 90%, validated by field teams and high-resolution imagery.