Monitoring Deforestation in Amazonia using Remote Sensing Luís Fernandes Executive Secretary MCT Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia

Monitoring Amazon Deforestation Near real-time detection of newly deforested areas (DETER)  Uses MODIS data (250 m resolution, 2 days revisit)  Maps produced weekly  Supports law-enforcement Detailed assessment of deforestation (PRODES)  Uses LANDSAT (30 m resolution, 18 days revisit) and CBERS (20 m resolution, 25 days revisit)  Other satellite data is used when needed  Detailed maps produced yearly  Supports policy-making

CBERS: China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite Brief History  Initial agreement signed in July 6th, 1988, covering CBERS-1 and 2.  In 2002, both governments decided to expand the initial agreement by including CBERS-3 and 4. Program objectives  Build a family of remote sensing satellites to support the needs of users in earth resources applications  Improve the industrial capabilities of space technology in Brazil and China

CBERS-2 Launch (21 October 2003 ) CBERS-2

CBERS Program Timeline Launc h Date Operatio n CBERS years CBERS years CBERS-2B20064 years CBERS years CBERS years

Near real-time detection of newly deforested areas Supports law-enforcement Information available as soon as possible  Location and period of newly deforested area  Accurate only for areas greater than 100 ha Fast result dissemination via Web

DETER – Sensors TERRA e AQUA MODIS - Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Temporal resolution: Daily Spatial resolution: 250 m CBERS - China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite WFI sensor Temporal resolution: 5 days Spatial resolution: 250 m

Large deforestation detected by Deter in 22/jun/2004, in Altamira/PA Landsat 5 image of 22 Aug 2003 without deforestation evidences

Grande desmatamento detectado pelo Deter em 22/jun/2004, município de Altamira/PA (s o ) Large deforestation detected by Deter in 22/jun/2004, in Altamira/PA MODIS image of 07 May 2004 without deforestation evidences

MODIS image of 08 June 2004 showing first evidences of deforestation Large deforestation detected by Deter in 22/jun/2004, in Altamira/PA

MODIS image of 22 June 2004 showing full extent of deforestation (6000 ha)

Large deforestation detected by Deter in 22/jun/2004, in Altamira/PA Government actions in area: (a)Offender fined and jailed (b)Environmental protection area created

Detailed assessment of deforestation (PRODES) Estimates yearly rates of gross deforestation Estimates the extension of gross deforestation Produces a digital data base Maps available on the Internet 

Detailed assessment of deforestation (PRODES) Computer aided image interpretation Improvements in 2005  Use of multisatellite data  Results available in the same calendar year Technology developed by INPE  Open source software

Deforestation Forest Non-forest Clouds/no data INPE/PRODES 2003/2004: Deforestation Map

Deforestation Map: Key Areas New frontiers Consolidated areas still under high deforestation pressure. Deforestation Forest Non-forest Clouds/no data INPE/PRODES 2003/2004:

General Concepts: Increment and Rate Deforestation Increment  Calculated for each image scene  Sensitive to date of image acquisition Deforestation Rate  Estimated on a image basis  Areas under cloud cover have deforested area estimated from regional trends  Rates are normalized to a reference date: 1 August

Impact of cloud cover To reduce the impact of cloud cover, INPE combines images from different dates

Combination CBERS-LANDSAT

Combination CBERS-LANDSAT (zoom)

Reducing cloud effect (date 1)

Reducing cloud effect (date 2)

Deforestation estimates for 2005 YearNum images Measured deforest area Estimated deforestat area Final measured area

Difference in rates (%)

MT/PA: areas more than 1000 ha (2004)

MT/PA: areas more than de 1000 ha (2005)

BR-163: areas greater than 100 ha (2004)

BR-163: areas greater than 100 ha (2005)

Cumaru (PA): areas greater than 100 ha (2004)

Cumaru (PA): areas greater than 100 ha (2005)