Amazon deforestation satellite

Earth observation satellites are essential for monitoring deforestation in the Amazon, providing accurate, real-time data for enforcement actions.

About this subject

Monitoring deforestation in the Amazon heavily relies on Earth observation satellites. Programs like PRODES (Amazon Deforestation Calculation Program) from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) use images from satellites such as Landsat (USA) and CBERS (Brazil-China partnership) to detect deforested areas with up to 30-meter resolution. Since the 1980s, these data have been crucial for quantifying forest loss and guiding public policies.

In addition to Landsat, satellites like Sentinel-2 (European Space Agency) and Terra/Aqua (NASA) provide multispectral imagery that distinguishes native forest from pastures or crops. The DETER system (Real-Time Deforestation Detection), also from INPE, issues daily alerts based on satellites like Terra and Aqua, enabling rapid enforcement actions by Ibama. In 2023, the Brazilian government announced the use of the Amazônia-1 satellite, Brazil's first fully indigenous Earth observation satellite launched in 2021, to enhance monitoring.

The effectiveness of this monitoring depends on imaging frequency and spatial resolution. Satellites in polar orbits pass over the Amazon every 16 days (Landsat) or 5 days (Sentinel-2), while geostationary satellites continuously observe larger areas. However, cloud cover in the Amazon limits optical imagery, requiring synthetic aperture radar (SAR) such as that on the ALOS-2 satellite (JAXA), which penetrates clouds. Recent data show that between 2004 and 2012, deforestation dropped by 80% thanks to satellite monitoring and intensified enforcement, but it has risen again in recent years, underscoring the ongoing importance of these technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which satellites are used to monitor deforestation in the Amazon?

Main satellites include Landsat (USA), Sentinel-2 (Europe), Terra/Aqua (NASA), CBERS (Brazil-China), and Amazônia-1 (Brazil). INPE uses data from these in the PRODES and DETER systems.

How does cloud cover affect satellite monitoring in the Amazon?

Clouds block optical satellite views, especially during the rainy season. To overcome this, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) like that on ALOS-2 is used, which can 'see' through clouds.

How accurate are deforestation data obtained from satellites?

Satellites like Landsat have 30-meter resolution, detecting deforestation from 0.5 hectares. PRODES maps annual deforestation with 95% accuracy, while DETER alerts daily changes at 250-meter resolution.