Landsat TM images from 1994 and 1991 were analyzed for Bragantina Region, the oldest post-Columbian agricultural landscape in eastern Amazônia. The objective of this work was the change detection of land use and vegetation cover in three counties of this region. Fourteen classes of land use were detected including primary forests (terra firme and igapo), 3 stages of secondary forest, 2 types of agricultural land and 2 types of pastures. The area occupied by secondary forests in the study scene represented 51% and 52%, respectively in 1984 and 1991. The analysis of trends in vegetation cover showed that 42% of the area remain stable or were left to proceed to advanced forest succession states.
Climate and land use: Forgive us our carbon debts
Climate and land use: Forgive us our carbon debts
Sugar cane ethanol replaces fossil fuels, but changes in soil carbon could offset some of the benefit. Now, a study shows minor loss of soil carbon when pastures and croplands are converted to cane, but larger losses when converting native savannahs. Leia o artigo...