The incidence and importance of fire in the Amazon have increased substantially during the past decade, but the effects of this disturbance force are still poorly understood. The forest fire dynamics in two regions of the eastern Amazon were studied. Accidental fires have affected nearly 50 percent of the remaining forests and have caused more deforestation than has intentional clearing in recent years. Forest fires create positive feedbacks in future fire susceptibility, fuel loading, and fire intensity. Unless current land use and fire use practices are changed, fire has the potential to transform large areas of tropical forest into scrub or savanna.
Activity Report: Observatório do Código Florestal
The Observatório do Código Florestal (OCF) Forest Code Observatory, in English, was created in May of 2013 to advance social accountability over the implementation of Law # 12,651/2012 and to ensure the environmental, social and economic integrity of forests on...