Gold Mining

MAAP #81: Carbon loss from deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon

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Base Map. Data: MINAM/PNCB, Asner et al 2014

When tropical forests are cleared, the enormous amount of carbon stored in the trees is released to the atmosphere, making it a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) that drive climate change.

In fact, a recent study revealed that deforestation and degradation are turning tropical forests into a new net carbon source for the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.1

The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical forest, and Peru is a key piece of that. Researchers (led by Greg Asner at the Carnegie Institution for Science) recently published the first high-resolution estimate of aboveground carbon in the Peruvian Amazon, documenting 6.83 billion metric tons.2

Here, we analyze this same dataset to estimate the total carbon emissions from deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon between 2013 and 2017. We estimate the loss of 59 million metric tons of carbon during these last five years, the equivalent of around 4% of annual United States fossil fuel emissions.3

We present a series of zoom images to show how carbon loss happened in several key areas impacted by the major deforestation drivers: gold mining, large-scale oil palm and cacao plantations, and smaller-scale agriculture. The labels A-G correspond to the zooms below.

We also show how protected areas are protecting hundreds of millions of metric tons of carbon in some of the most important areas in the country.

On the positive side, having this detailed information may provide added incentives to slow deforestation and degradation as part of critical climate change strategies.

 

 

Major Findings

Data: Asner et al 2014

The base map (see above) shows, in shades of green, carbon densities across Peru. It also shows, in red, the forest loss layer from 2013 to 2017.

We calculated the estimated amount of carbon emissions from forest loss during these five years: 59.029 teragrams, or 59 million metric tons.

The regions with the most carbon loss are 1) Loreto (13.4 million metric tons), 2) Ucayali (13.2 million), 3) Huánuco (7.3 million), 4) Madre de Dios (7 million), and 5) San Martin (6.9 million).

These values include some natural forest loss. Overall, however, they should be considered underestimates because they do not include forest degradation (for example, selective logging).

A recent study revealed that degradation may account for 70% of emissions, thus total carbon emissions from forests in the Peruvian Amazon may be closer to 200 million metric tons.

Next, we show a series of zoom images to show how carbon loss happened in several key areas. We also show how protected areas and conservation concessions are protecting the most important carbon reserves.

 

 

 

 

Zoom A: Central Peruvian Amazon

Image A shows the loss of 2.8 million metric tons of carbon in a section of the central Peruvian Amazon (Ucayali region). On the east side of image, note the loss due to two large-scale oil palm plantations (649,000 metric tons); on the west side, note small-scale agriculture penetrating deeper into high carbon density forest.

Image A. Central Peruvian Amazon. Data: Asner et al 2014, MINAM/PNCB

Zoom B: Southern Peruvian Amazon (gold mining) 

Image B shows the loss of 756 thousand metric tons of carbon due to gold mining in the southern Peruvian Amazon (Madre de Dios region). On the east side of image is the sector known as La Pampa; west side is Upper Malinowski.

Image B. Gold mining. Data: Asner et al 2014, MINAM/PNCB

Zoom C: Southern Peruvian Amazon (agriculture)

Image C shows the loss of 876 thousand metric tons of carbon in the southern Peruvian Amazon around the town of Iberia (Madre de Dios region). Note the expanding carbon loss along both sides of the Interoceanic Highway that crosses the image.

Image C. Iberia. Data: Asner et al 2014, MINAM/PNCB

Zoom D: United Cacao

Image D shows the loss of 291 thousand metric tons of carbon for a large-scale cacao project (United Cacao) in the northern Peruvian Amazon (Loreto region). Note that nearly all the forest clearing occurred in high carbon density forest. This is another line of evidence that the company cleared primary forest, contrary to their claims that the area was already degraded.

Image D. United Cacao. Data: Asner et al 2014, MINAM/PNCB

Zoom E: Yaguas National Park

Image E shows how three protected areas, including the new Yaguas National Park, are effectively safeguarding 202 million metric tons of carbon in the northeastern Peruvian Amazon. This area is home to some of the highest carbon densities in the country.

Image E. Yaguas. Data: Asner et al 2014, MINAM/PNCB

Zoom F: Los Amigos Conservation Concession

Image F shows how Los Amigos, the world’s first conservation concession, is effectively safeguarding 15 million metric tons of carbon in the southern Peruvian Amazon. Two surrounding protected areas, Manu National Park and Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, safeguard an additional 194 million metric tons. This area is home to some of the highest carbon densities in the country.

Image F. Los Amigos. Data: Asner et al 2014, MINAM/PNCB

Zoom G: Sierra del Divisor National Park

Image G. Data: Asner et al 2014, MINAM/PNCB

Image G shows how three protected areas, including the new Sierra del Divisor National Park, are effectively safeguarding 270 million metric tons of carbon in the eastern Peruvian Amazon.

This area is home to some of the highest carbon densities in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Methodology

Para el análisis se utilizó los datos de carbono sobre el suelo  generados por Asner et al 2014, y los datos de pérdida de bosques identificados por el Programa Nacional de Conservación de Bosques (PNBC-MINAM) de los años 2013 al 2016 así como las alertas tempranas del año 2017. Primero uniformizamos los datos de pérdida de bosque 2013-2016 con las alertas tempranas del año 2017 para evitar superposición y tener un solo dato 2013-2017. Posteriormente, extraemos los datos de carbono de las áreas de pérdida de bosque del 2013-2017, este proceso permitió obtener la densidad de carbono (por hectárea) en relación al área de la pérdida de bosque para finalmente estimar el total de stocks de carbono perdido entre el año 2013 al 2017.

References

1 Baccini A, Walker W, Carvalho L, Farina M, Sulla-Menashe D, Houghton RA (2017) Tropical forests are a net carbon source based on aboveground measurements of gain and loss. Science. 13;358(6360):230-4.

2 Asner GP et al (2014). The High-Resolution Carbon Geography of Perú. Carnegie Institution for Science.

3 Boden TA, Andres RJ, Marland G (2017) National CO2 Emissions from Fossil-Fuel Burning, Cement Manufacture, and Gas Flaring: 1751-2014. DOI 10.3334/CDIAC/00001_V2017

Citation

Finer M, Mamani N (2017). Carbon loss from deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon. MAAP: 81.

Acknowledgments

This report was made possible by the generous support of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

 

 

MAAP #79 – Seeing through the Clouds: Monitoring Deforestation with Radar

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Imagen 79. Satélite de radar, Sentinel-1. Creado por MAAP

MAAP has repeatedly emphasized the power and importance of Earth observation satellites with optical sensors (such as Landsat, Planet, DigitalGlobe).

However, they also have a key limitation: clouds block the data about Earth from reaching the sensor, a common problem in rainy regions like the Amazon.

Fortunately, there is another powerful tool with a unique capability: satellites with radar sensors, which emit their own energy that can pass through the clouds (see Image).

Since 2014, the European Space Agency has provided free imagery from its radar satellites, known as Sentinel-1.

In the Peruvian Amazon, for example, Sentinel-1 obtains imagery every 12 days with a resolution of ~20 meters.

Here, we show the power of radar imagery in terms of near real-time deforestation monitoring. We focus on an area with ongoing deforestation due to gold mining in the southern Peruvian Amazon (Madre de Dios region).

 

 

 

 

Radar Imagery (Sentinel-1)

Image 79a is a series of Sentinel-1 radar images, showing the advance of gold mining deforestation between January 2017 and February 2018. We highlight 4 focal areas: A. La Pampa (Balata sector), B. Tierra Roja, C. Upper Malinowski, D. Tambopata National Reserve. In these radar images, the deforested areas appear in purplish-blue, while intact forests appear yellowish-green.

Image 79a. GIF of Sentinel-1 images (VV / VH polarization). Data: ESA, SERNANP

Note the rapid expansion of gold mining deforestation in La Pampa, as well as in the Upper Malinowski area. In contrast, note that the illegal gold mining invasion of Tambopata National Reserve, which escalated in 2016, was effectively halted in 2017.

Deforestation Data

Image 79b indicates the most recent gold mining deforestation areas detected by radar. We estimate the loss of 3,260 acres (1,320 hectares) between January 2017 and February 2018 (indicated in yellow and red), in our area of interest. Of that, around half occurred since October (1,609 acres, indicated in red), when the availability of good optical images is more limited due to persistent cloud cover.
Image 79b. Gold mining deforestation, determined from Sentinel-1 images (VV / VH polarization). Data: ESA, SERNANP

The most urgent deforestation front is clearly La Pampa (Balata sector), which lost 1,082 acres (474 since October). The other urgent area is the Upper Malinowski, which lost 440 acres (208 since October).

Optical Image

Finally, Image 79c is an optical image of the same area. Note how the radar imagery above accurately detected the gold mining deforestation.
Image 79c. Optical image. Data: Planet, SERNANP

References

Planet Team (2017). Planet Application Program Interface: In Space for Life on Earth. San Francisco, CA. https://api.planet.com

Citation

Villa L, Finer M (2018) Seeing through the Clouds: Monitoring Deforestation with Radar. MAAP: 79.

 

MAAP #78: Deforestation Hotspots in the Peruvian Amazon, 2017

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Base Map (Image 78). Data: PNCB/MINAM, UMD/GLAD, SERNANP

As we begin a new year, we make an initial assessment of 2017, estimating deforestation hotspots in the Peruvian Amazon based on early warning alert data.*

We estimate the annual forest loss of 354,410 acres (143,425 hectares) across Peru in 2017. If confirmed, this total represents the lowest in 5 years (average of 394,600 acres since 2012), and a decrease of 13% from last year.**

Deforestation, however, is still widespread. The base map shows the most intense hotspots (areas with highest density of forest loss).

The two main deforestation areas are clearly seen: the central Amazon (Ucayali/Huánuco regions) and the southern Amazon (Madre de Dios). Also, there are several additional hotspots scattered throughout the country.

We present satellite images (slider format) of the most intense hotspots. The images reveal that the main deforestation drivers include gold mining, oil palm, and general agriculture (crops and livestock).

The hotspots detailed below are:

A. Central Amazon (Ucayali/Huánuco)
B. Southern Madre de Dios
C. Iberia (Madre de Dios)
D. Northeast San Martín
E. Nieva (Amazonas)

 

 

 

A. Central Amazon (Ucayali/Huánuco)

As in previous years, there is a concentration of high intensity hotspots in the central Peruvian Amazon (Ucayali and Huánuco regions). We estimate the deforestation of 57,430 acres (23,240 hectares) in this hotspot during 2017. The images show that the main drivers are likely cattle ranching and oil palm plantations. Image 78a is a slider showing an example of the deforestation in this hotspot during 2017.

[twenty20 img1=”6875″ img2=”6876″ width=”78%” offset=”0.5″]

Image 78a. Central Amazon. Data: Planet, NASA/USGS

B. Southern Madre de Dios

As described in MAAP #75, Madre de Dios has become one of the regions with the highest rates of deforestation in Peru, with a concentration along the Interoceanic highway. We estimate the deforestation of 27,465 acres (11,115 hectares) in southern Madre de Dios during 2017. Image 78b is a slider showing the extensive deforestation that occurred in this area during 2017. The images show that the main drivers are gold mining (south of the highway) and small to medium-scale agriculture (north of the road).

[twenty20 img1=”6877″ img2=”6878″ width=”78%” offset=”0.5″]

Image 78b. South Madre de Dios. Data: Planet

C. Iberia (Madre de Dios)

On the other side of Madre de Dios, near the border with Brazil, another hotspot is located around the town of Iberia. We estimate the deforestation of 7,955 acres (3,220 hectares) in this hotspot during 2017.  Image 78c is a slider showing deforestation in the area of the hotspot west of Iberia (known as Pacahuara). The images show that the main deforestation driver is small to medium-scale agriculture (according to local sources, the main crops include corn, papaya, and cacao).

[twenty20 img1=”6880″ img2=”6879″ width=”78%” offset=”0.5″]

Image 78c. Iberia. Data: Planet

D. Northeast of San Martín

A new hotspot emerged in the northeast corner San Martin due to a large-scale agriculture plantation. Image 78d is a slider that shows the deforestation of 1,830 acres (740 hectares) during the last several months of 2017. The Peruvian Environment Ministry has confirmed that the cause is a new oil palm plantation. Indeed, this new deforestation is close to an area that has experienced extensive deforestation for oil palm plantations in recent years (see MAAP #16).

[twenty20 img1=”6882″ img2=”6881″ width=”78%” offset=”0.5″]

Image 78d. San Martin. Data: Planet

E. Nieva (Amazonas)

In northwestern Peru, there is a new isolated hotspot along a road connecting the towns of Bagua and Saramiriza in the district of Nieva (Amazonas region). We estimate the deforestation of 2,805 acres (1,135 hectares) in this hotspot during 2017. Image 78e is a slider that shows an example of the recent deforestation. The images show that the cause of deforestation is mostly small-scale agriculture and cattle pasture.

[twenty20 img1=”6884″ img2=”6883″ width=”78%” offset=”0.5″]

Image 78e. Nieva. Data: Planet

Notes

*We emphasize that the data presented in this report are estimates based on early warning alert data generated by: 1) GLAD/UMD (Hansen et al 2016 ERL 11: (3)), and 2) the National Program for Forest Conservation for Climate Change Mitigation of the Ministry of the Environment of Peru (PNCB/MINAM). The official forest loss data are produced annually by  PNCB/MINAM.

**According to official PNCB/MINAM data, forest loss in 2016 was 164,662 hectares. The average of the last 5 years (2012-16) was 159,688 hectares.

Coordinates

A. -8.289977,-75.415649
B. -12.969013,-69.918365; -12.872639,-70.263062
C. -11.304257,-69.635468
D. -6.26539,-75.800171
E. -4.972954,-78.21167

References

Planet Team (2017). Planet Application Program Interface: In Space for Life on Earth. San Francisco, CA. https://api.planet.com

Citation

Finer M, Mamani N, García R, Novoa S (2018) Deforestation Hotspots in the Peruvian Amazon, 2017. MAAP: 78.

MAAP #75: Pope to visit Madre de Dios, region with Deforestation Crisis (Peru)

Posted on by dcadmin
Table 76. Data: PNBC/MINAM (2001-16), UMD/GLAD (2017, until the first week of November).

Pope Francis, as part of his upcoming visit to Peru in January, will visit the Madre de Dios region in the southern Peruvian Amazon. He is expected to address issues facing the Amazon and its indigenous communities, including deforestation.

In this article, we show that Madre de Dios is experiencing a deforestation crisis, due mainly to impacts from gold mining, small-scale agriculture, and roads.

Table 76 shows the increasing trend of annual forest loss since 2001, peaking in 2017. In fact, in 2017 forest loss exceeded 20,000 hectares (49,000 acres) for the first time, doubling the loss in 2008.*

The table also shows the ranking of Madre de Dios in respect to the annual forest loss compared to all other regions of the Peruvian Amazon (see red line). For the first time, Madre de Dios is the region with the second highest forest loss total, behind only Ucayali.

Next, we present a map of deforestation hotspots in Madre de Dios in 2017, along with satellite images of a number of the most intense hotspots.

*The total estimated forest loss in 2017 was based on early warnings alerts generated by the University of Maryland (GLAD alerts) and the Peruvian Environment Ministry (PNCB/MINAM). The estimate is 20,826 hectares as of the first week of November.

Deforestation Hotspots in Madre de Dios

Image 76 shows a map of deforestation hotspots in Madre de Dios in 2017, based on early warning forest loss data. The colors yellow (low), orange (medium/high), and red (very high) correspond to the areas with the highest concentration of alerts, i.e. the main deforestation hotspots of 2017. Note how the majority of the forest loss is concentrated along the recently paved Interoceanic highway.

Next, we show satellite imagery for 7 hotspots (Insets A-G) that together account for the deforestation of 6,000 hectares (15,000 acres). We show that the main deforestation drivers are gold mining and small-scale agriculture.

Image 76. Base Map of Hotspots in Madre de Dios in 2017. Data: PNBC/MINAM, UMD/GLAD

La Pampa (Inset A)

The area known as La Pampa continues to experience significant deforestation due to the advance of gold mining. Despite a series of field interventions by the Peruvian Government, we documented the deforestation of 1,385 acres (560 hectares) in 2017 (Image 76a). Since 2013, the total deforestation in La Pampa is 11,270 acres (4,560 hectares).

Image 76a. Data: Planet

Upper Malinowski (Inset B)

Upstream of La Pampa, the headwaters of the Malinowski River represent a second area devastated by the recent advance of gold mining. We documented the deforestation of 1,795 acres (726 hectares) in 2017 along the upper Malinowski (Image 76b). Since 2015, the total deforestation along the upper Malinowski is 5,260 acres (2,130 hectares).

Image 76b. Data: Planet

Santa Rita and Guacamayo (Insets C y D)

To the north of the La Pampa and Upper Malinowski mining areas, and on the other side of the Interoceanic highway, are two areas with significant recent deforestation due to small-scale agriculture. In these two areas, we documented the deforestation of 2,890 acres (1,170 hectares) in 2017 (Images 76c, 76d). Additional research focused on the exact type of crops is required, but local sources indicate an increase in papaya and cacao in the area.

Image 76c. Data: Planet, ESA
Image 76d. Data: Planet

Iberia (Inset E)

On the other side of Madre de Dios, along the Interoceanic Highway near the border with Brazil and Bolivia, is the town of Iberia. This area has become a major deforestation hotspot in recent years. We documented the deforestation of 2,250 acres (910 hectares) in 2017 (Image 76e). Since 2014, the total deforestation around Iberia is 6,795 acres (2,750) hectares. A large part of the deforestation is within forestry concessions, indicating that these concessions have been invaded. The cause of the deforestation is small-scale agriculture (specifically, according to local sources, corn, papaya, and cacao).

Image 76e. Data: Planet

Tahuamanu (Inset F)

To the west of Iberia, an isolated hotspot emerged caused by the rapid proliferation of logging roads. This hotspot is located within a forestry concession, but its impact is troubling due to the extension and density of the new road network. We estimate the construction of 130 km of new logging forest roads in this area in 2017 (Image 76f).

Image 76f. Data: Planet

Las Piedras (Inset G)

Finally, deforestation continues within two ecotourism concessions along the Las Piedras River, a remote area famous for its exceptional wildlife (see this video). We documented the deforestation of 300 acres (134 hectares) in 2017 (Image 76g). Since 2013, the total deforestation along the Las Piedras River is 1,495 acres (605 hectares). Note that the Las Piedras Amazon Center Ecotourism Concession represents an effective barrier against deforestation impacting the surrounding concessions. According to local sources, the main causes of deforestation are cacao plantations and cattle pasture.

Image 76g. Data: Planet

Coordinates

Zona A: -12.99, -69.90
Zona B: -13.05, -70.17
Zona C: -12.85, -70.26
Zona D: -12.84, -69.99
Zona E: -11.31, -69.61
Zona F: -11.23, -70.05
Zona G: -11.601711, -70.477295

References

Planet Team (2017). Planet Application Program Interface: In Space for Life on Earth. San Francisco, CA. https://api.planet.com

Citation

Finer M, Novoa S, Garcia R (2017) Pope to visit Madre de Dios (Peru), region with Deforestation Crisis. MAAP: 75.

MAAP Interactive: Deforestation Drivers in the Andean Amazon

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Since its launch in April 2015, MAAP has published over 70 reports related to deforestation (and natural forest loss) in the Andean Amazon. We have thus far focused on Peru, with several reports in Colombia and Brazil as well.

These reports are meant to be case studies of the most important and urgent deforestation events. We often use forest loss alerts (known as GLAD) to guide us, and satellite imagery (from Planet and DigitalGlobe) to identify the deforestation driver.

Here we present an interactive map highlighting the drivers identified in all published MAAP reports. These drivers include gold mining, agriculture (e.g. oil palm and cacao), cattle pasture, roads, and dams (see icon legend below map). We also include natural causes such as floods and blowdowns (fire included under agriculture since most human caused). Furthermore, we highlight deforestation events within protected areas. Note that you can filter by driver by checking boxes of interest.

We hope the result is one of the most detailed and up-todate resources on patterns and drivers of deforestation in the Andean Amazon. Over the coming year we will continue to focus on Peru and Colombia, and begin to include Ecuador and Bolivia as well.

To view the interactive map, please visit:

MAAP Interactive: Deforestation Drivers in the Andean Amazon
https://www.maapprogram.org/interactive/

For more information on patterns and drivers of deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon, see our latest Synthesis report 

MAAP #72: New Gold Mining Deforestation Zone in Peruvian Amazon: the Upper Malinowski (Madre de Dios)

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In a series of previous reports (MAAP # 60), we have described the dire gold mining deforestation in the southern Peruvian Amazon, most notably in the area known as “La Pampa” (see Base Map). However, over the past 3 years another critical area has emerged in the region: the Upper Malinowski. This area is located near the headwaters of the Malinowski River, upstream of La Pampa (see Base Map).

Here, we show satellite images of the rapid advance of gold mining deforestation in two sectors of the upper Malinowski. In total, we document the deforestation of 3,880 acres (1,570 hectares) between 2015 and 2017 inside the buffer zone of the Bahuaja Sonene National Park.

Mapa Base. Datos: SERNANP, UMD/GLAD, MINAM/PNCB, Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA

Upper Malinowski – Sector A

Sector A has experienced the rapid deforestation of 704 acres (285 hectares) over just the past 2 years. Figure 72a shows satellite images (courtesy of the company Planet) of this rapid mining deforestation between October 2015 (left panel) and October 2017 (right panel). In addition, we show a very high resolution image (0.32 meters) over an active part the sector (Inset A2); note the visible presence of mining camps and organized mining pits. There are no mining concessions in this sector, thus all mining activity is illegal.

Image 72a. Data: Planet
Very High Resolution Zoom. Data: DigitalGlobe (Nextview)

Upper Malinowski – Sector B

Sector B has experienced the deforestation of 3,175 acres (1,285 hectares) over the past 3 years. Figure 72b shows satellite images (from the company Planet) of the mining-caused forest loss between 2014 (left panel) and 2017 (right panel).

Imagen 72b. Planet

Coordinates

Sector A:
-13.052761, -70.164371

Sector B:
-13.120311, -70.268055

References

Planet Team (2017). Planet Application Program Interface: In Space for Life on Earth. San Francisco, CA. https://api.planet.com

Citation

Finer M, Novoa S (2017) New Gold Mining Deforestation Zone: Upper Malinowski (Madre de Dios, Peru). MAAP: 72.

MAAP #71: Gold Mining Threatens Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, Again

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In an earlier series of articles (MAAP #6, MAAP #44, MAAP #64), we showed the illegal gold mining invasion of a section of Amarakaeri Communal Reserve (see yellow box in Base Map), as well as the rapid response by authorities to remove the miners. It was an important case given that Amarakaeri is an important Peruvian protected area, co-managed byPeru’s protected areas agency (SERNANP) and indigenous communities (represented by the ECA Amarakaeri).

However, here we highlight the rapid advance of gold mining deforestation towards another section of Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, in the region of Cusco to the south (see purple box in Base Map).

*According to a statement from SERNANP, they are jointly coordinating with the ECA Amarakaeri and competent authorities such as the National Police, Prosecutor’s Office, and National Forest Service (SERFOR), regarding actions to stop the advance of illegal gold mining, and generating and comprehensive solutions to the problem.

Image 71. Base Map

Advance of New Gold Mining Invasion

Over the past year, gold mining has rapidly advanced in the buffer zone of the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, along a tributary of the Nuciniscato River in the Cusco region. This mining activity has caused the deforestation of 158 acres (64 hectares) of primary Amazon rainforest between September 2016 and September 2017 (Image 71a). The most recent deforestation, during September 2017, is only 1 km from the border of the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve.

Image 71a. Data: Planet, SERNANP

Below, we show a series of satellite images (obtained from the company Planet) showing the rapid advance of gold mining deforestation towards the Communal Reserve during 2017 (May, July, August, and September). To enlarge, click the bottom right of the images.

GIF 71. GIF of a series of images. Planet

Very High Resolution Zoom 

Finally, we show two extraordinary high resolution images (0.38 meters) of the latest gold mining activity closest to the Communal Reserve. In the images, gold mining ponds, heavy machinery, and mining camps are clearly seen.

Source: DigitalGlobe 2017 (Nextview)
Source: DigitalGlobe 2017 (Nextview)

Reference

Planet Team (2017). Planet Application Program Interface: In Space for Life on Earth. San Francisco, CA. https://api.planet.com

Citation

Finer M, Novoa S (2017) Gold Mining Threatens the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, Again. MAAP: 71.

MAAP #68: 2017 DEFORESTATION HOTSPOTS IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON (Part 2)

Posted on by dcadmin
Image 68. Base map. Data: PNCB/MINAM, UMD/GLAD, SERNANP.

In a previous report, MAAP #65, we presented information about deforestation hotspots in 2017 in the Peruvian Amazon, based on early warning alert data from January until mid-July.

Between July and August, the amount of alerts greatly increased, likely due to arrival of the dry season. Thus, this report includes new updated data until mid-August.*

We find new deforestation hotspots in the regions of Madre de Dios and Ucayali (see base map).** At the national level, we now estimate the forest loss of 111,200 acres (45,000 hectares) thus far in 2017 (thru August 17).***

Below, we present satellite imagery of the following hotspots:

– La Pampa, Madre de Dios (Inset A)
– Guacamayo, Madre de Dios (Inset F)
– Iberia, Madre de Dios (Inset G)
– South of Sierra del Divisor, Ucayali (Inset H)
– Nueva Requena, Ucayali (Inset I)

**The data were generated by the National Program of Forest Conservation for Climate Change Mitigation, Peruvian Ministry of Environment (PNCB/MINAM).

**See Hotspots A-E in MAAP #65

***We emphasize that our calculations are just estimates. Official forest loss data are produced annually by the Peruvian Ministry of Environment.

 

La Pampa, Madre de Dios (Inset A)

Illegal gold mining deforestation continues to expand in the buffer zone of Tambopata National Reserve in the southern Peruvian Amazon. The Peruvian Government has conducted several interventions this year, most notably in July. However, between July and August we documented the additional loss of 67 acres (27 hectares), increasing the 2017 total deforestation in this zone to 1,280 acres (517 hectares). Image 68a is a GIF illustrating the gold mining deforestation from January to September 2017.

Image 68a. Data: Planet

Guacamayo, Madre de Dios (Inset F)

North of La Pampa, in another gold mining zone, known as Guacamayo, we have documented the rapid deforestation of 182 acres (74 hectares). This newly deforested area is located next to the mining zone (within a forestry concession), and appears to be caused by agricultural activity.

Image 68f. Data: Planet

Iberia, Madre de Dios (Inset G)

Around the  town of Iberia, located along the Interoceanica highway near the border with Brazil, has recently become a major deforestation hotspot (see MAAP #28 and MAAP #47). Between June and August 2017, we detected the deforestation of 1,075 acres (435 hectares). Much of this deforestation is within forestry concessions, indicating that the concessions have been invaded. The deforestation appears  to be caused by agriculture (according to local sources, the clearing is for corn plantations).

Image 68g. Data: Planet.

South of Sierra del Divisor, Ucayali (Inset H)

In the central Peruvian Amazon, just south of Sierra del Divisor National Park, we detected the new construction of 25 km of logging roads in the forestry concessions surrounding the park. We also detected the deforestation of 138 acres (56 hectares), close to the National Park’s limit for what appears to be agricultural activity.

Image 68h. Data: Planet, SERNANP

Nueva Requena, Ucayali (Inset I)

Also in the central Peruvian Amazon, in the Nueva Requena district near two controversial oil palm plantations (MAAP #41), we detected the deforestation of 1,130 acres (457 hectares) in state forestry lands (known as Permanent Production Forest). This includes 26 km of new logging and agricultural roads. It is important to note that this area was recently in the news regarding the killing of six farmers over land rights dispute.

Image 68i. Data: Planet

References

Planet Team (2017). Planet Application Program Interface: In Space for Life on Earth. San Francisco, CA. https://api.planet.com.

Citation

Finer M, Novoa S, Olexy T (2017) 2017 Deforestation Hotspots in the Peruvian Amazon (Part 2). MAAP: 68.

MAAP #65: Deforestation Hotspots of 2017 in the Peruvian Amazon

Posted on by dcadmin
Image 65. Data: MINAM/PNCB, UMD/GLAD, SERNANP, MAAP

In an earlier report, MAAP #40, we highlighted the power of combining early warning GLAD* alerts with analysis of high-resolution satellite images (for example, from the company Planet), as part of a comprehensive near real-time deforestation monitoring system.

In the current report, we analyze the GLAD alerts for the first half of 2017 (through July 17) to identify current deforestation hotspots in the Peruvian Amazon.** These alerts indicate an estimated total forest loss of 37,000 acres (15,000 hectares) thus far during the year.

Image 65 (see right) highlights the 2017 deforestation hotspots, defined here as areas with medium to high density of forest loss.

Below, we describe and show images of the most intense hotspots, indicated in red and orange.

These areas include:

  • Buffer zones of Tambopata National Reserve and Cordillera Azul National Park
  • Natural loss due to blowdowns from “hurricane winds,” in the Madre de Dios region
  • Northwest border with Colombia

 

 

 

 

Buffer Zone of Tambopata National Reserve 

Inset A indicates an area of high intensity deforestation due to gold mining activity in the buffer zone of Tambopata National Reserve in the southern Peruvian Amazon (Madre de Dios region). Image 65a shows the deforestation of 1,210 acres (490 hectares) in this area in 2017. The Peruvian government recently (early July) led a major raid in this area. However, the most recent satellite images (late July – early August) indicate that mining camps are still present in the area.

Image 65a. Data: Planet

Hurricane Winds

Insets B and C indicate two areas in the southern Peruvian Amazon (Madre de Dios region) that experienced the natural forest loss of 980 acres (400 hectares) caused by hurricane winds, localized thunderstorms with strong winds. Images 65b and 65c show the recent 2017 forest loss. See MAAP #54 and MAAP #55 for more details about hurricane winds.

Image 65b. Data: Planet
Image 65c. Data: Planet

Buffer Zone of Cordillera Azul National Park

Inset D shows an area of medium intensity deforestation in the buffer zone of Cordillera Azul National Park, in the central Peruvian Amazon (San Martin region). Image 65d shows an example of the deforestation (138 acres) in this area in 2017. The main cause of the deforestation appears to be agricultural activity.

Image 65d. Data: Planet

Northwest Border with Colombia

Inset E indicates a medium intensity hotspot in the extreme northern Peruvian Amazon (Loreto region), along the border with Colombia. The deforestation is approaching the limit of the Huimeki Communal Reserve. Image 65e shows the deforestation of 390 acres (158 hectares) in this area in 2017. The driver appears to be linked to agricultural activities and illicit crops (The United Nations has confirmed coca in this area).

Image 65e. Data: Planet

Notes

*GLAD alerts are a powerful new tool to monitor tropical forest loss in near real-time. This early warning system, created by the GLAD (Global Land Analysis and Discovery) laboratory at the University of Maryland and supported by Global Forest Watch, was launched in March 2016 as the first Landsat-based (30-meter resolution) forest loss alert system (previous systems were based on lower-resolution imagery). The alerts are updated weekly and can be accessed through Global Forest Watch.

**We performed a kernel density estimation, an analysis that calculates the magnitude per unit area of a particular phenomenon, in this case, forest loss.

Reference

Planet Team (2017). Planet Application Program Interface: In Space for Life on Earth. San Francisco, CA. https://api.planet.com.

Citation

Novoa S, Finer M (2017) Deforestation Hotspots in the Peruvian Amazon in 2017. MAAP: 65.

 

MAAP #64: Good News Deforestation Stories (Peruvian Amazon)

Posted on by dcadmin

We admit that most MAAP stories are about the bad news of Amazon deforestation. But fortunately there is good news as well.

Here we highlight 5 good news stories from the Peruvian Amazon that show how near real-time monitoring may lead to halting deforestation from emerging threats, such as gold mining and large-scale agriculture (oil palm and cacao plantations).

The detailed cases are:
A) United Cacao (cacao),
B) Plantations of Pucallpa (oil palm),
C) Grupo Romero (oil palm),
D) Amarakaeri Comunal Reserve (gold mining), and
E) Tambopata National Reserve (gold mining).

 

 

 

United Cacao

Image 64a. Data: NASA/USGS

The rapid deforestation of primary forest for a large-scale cacao plantation in the northern Peruvian Amazon took everyone by surprise in 2013. Civil society led the way in exposing and tracking the deforestation with satellite imagery and the government eventually confirmed the forest loss data. For its part, MAAP published 6 articles (for example MAAP #35 and MAAP #2).

Although total deforestation eventually reached 5,880 acres (2,380 hectares), the company, due to a complicated combination of factors, was suspended from the London Stock Exchange and no new deforestation has been detected in over a year.

Image 64a shows that the cacao project area was covered by intact forest in late 2012, followed by large-scale deforestation of primary forest in 2013. The deforestation slowed, and then stopped, between 2014 and 2017. The yellow circle indicates the cacao plantation area over time.

Plantations of Pucallpa (oil palm)

In a remarkable case, satellite imagery was used to demonstrate that an oil palm company (Plantations of Pucallpa) had breached the Code and Conduct of the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil), a non-profit entity founded to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil.

In 2015, the Native Community of Santa Clara de Uchunya (with the support of the NGO Forest Peoples Programme) presented an official complaint to the RSPO against Plantations of Pucallpa, a member of the roundtable. An important component of the complaint alleged massive deforestation, but the company adamantly denied it. MAAP articles showing the deforestation of 15,970 acres (6,460 hectares) were used as evidence (MAAP #4, MAAP #41), as was independent government analysis.

In April 2017, the RSPO concluded that Plantations of Pucallpa cleared 14,145 acres (5,725 hectares) despite declaring no land-clearing, thus breaching the Code and Conduct. Several months prior this decision, the company divested its oil palm estates and withdrew from the RSPO. We have not detected any new deforestation in the project area in over a year.

Image 64b shows the massive deforestation for two large-scale oil palm plantations in the central Peruvian Amazon (Plantations of Pucallpa is the plantation to the north). The yellow circles indicate the oil palm plantation project areas over time. Note that the project area was a mix of primary and secondary forest in 2011, immediately prior to the deforestation, which began in 2012. The deforestation intensified in 2013 before nearly reaching its maximum extent in 2015. We have not detected any new deforestation since 2016.

Image 64b. Data: NASA/USGS, MAAP

Grupo Romero (oil palm)

Perhaps the best news of the bunch is about four large-scale oil palm plantations that were stopped before any deforestation occurred. As detailed in a recent report by Environmental Investigation Agency, the Peruvian business conglomerate Grupo Romero conducted environmental impact studies for four new oil palm plantations in the northern Peruvian Amazon. Analysis of these studies revealed that these plantations would cause the massive deforestation of 56,830 acres (23,000 hectares) of primary forest. After strong pushback from civil society, including legal action, a recent report from Chain Reaction Research revealed that Grupo Romero is now working towards a zero-deforestation supply chain and thus found that the four planned plantations are no longer feasible and abandoned the projects.

Image 64c shows how the project area for two of the proposed oil palm plantations (in yellow), Santa Catalina and Tierra Blanca, is largely covered by intact, primary forest.

Image 64c. Data: NASA/USGS, Grupo Palmas (Grupo Romero)

Amarakaeri Communal Reserve (gold mining)

In June 2015, we revealed the deforestation of 11 hectares in Amarakaeri Communal Reserve due to an illegal gold mining invasion. The Reserve, located in the southern Peruvian Amazon, is an important protected area that is co-managed by indigenous communities (ECA Amarakaeri) and SERNANP, Peru’s protected areas agency (see MAAP #6). In the following weeks, the Peruvian government, led by SERNANP, cracked down on the illegal mining activities. A year later, we showed that the deforestation had been stopped, with no further expansion into the Reserve (MAAP #44). In fact, we showed that there were signs of recovering vegetation on the recently mined areas.

Image 64d shows the gold mining deforestation approaching (2011-12) and entering (2013-15) Amarakaeri Communal Reserve (yellow circles indicate areas of invasion). However, it also shows how, following action by the government and ECA Amarakaeri, the deforestation was halted and did not expand in 2016-17.

Image 64d. Data: NASA/USGS, Sentinel/ESA, RapidEye/Planet

Tambopata National Reserve (gold mining)

In September 2015, illegal gold miners started to invade Tambopata National Reserve, an important protected area in the southern Peruvian Amazon with world renowned biodiversity. In a series of MAAP articles, we tracked the invasion as it intensified in 2016, and eventually reached 1,360 acres (550 hectares) by early 2017. However, by late 2016, the Peruvian Government intensified its interventions against the illegal mining activity, and the rate of deforestation quickly and sharply decreased. In the most recent satellite imagery, we have not detected any major new expansion of illegal gold mining within the Reserve.

Image 64e shows the initial invasion of Tambopata National Reserve between September 2015 and January 2016. The deforestation within the Reserve intensifies during 2016, but slows significantly in 2017. The yellow circles indicate areas of invasion.

Image 64e. Data: Planet, SERNANP

References

Planet Team (2017). Planet Application Program Interface: In Space for Life on Earth. San Francisco, CA. https://api.planet.com.

Citation

Finer M, Novoa S, Olexy T, Scott A (2017) Good News Deforestation Stories (Peruvian Amazon). MAAP: 64.