Monitoring Deforestation in Amazonia using Remote Sensing

Luís FernandesExecutive 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

Launch Date

Operation

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

CBERS-1 1999 4 years

CBERS-2 2003 4 years

CBERS-2B 2006 4 years

CBERS-3 2008 5 years

CBERS-4 2011 5 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: DailySpatial resolution: 250 m

CBERS - China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite

WFI sensorTemporal 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 05 08 11.89 o 53 55 15.73) 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

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 www.obt.inpe.br/prodes

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

166-112

116-113

116-112

Combination CBERS-LANDSAT

Combination CBERS-LANDSAT (zoom)

Reducing cloud effect (date 1)

Reducing cloud effect (date 2)

Deforestation estimates for 2005

Year Num images

Measured deforest

area

Estimated deforesta

tarea

Final measured

area

2003-2004

76 22.870 26.150 27.200

2004-2005

77 16.600 18.900 -

Difference in rates 2005-2004 (%)

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)