Carbon loss from forest degradation exceeds that from deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon

Yuanwei Qin, Xiangming Xiao (), Jean-Pierre Wigneron (), Philippe Ciais, Martin Brandt, Lei Fan, Xiaojun Li, Sean Crowell, Xiaocui Wu, Russell Doughty, Yao Zhang, Fang Liu, Stephen Sitch and Berrien Moore
Additional contact information
Yuanwei Qin: University of Oklahoma
Xiangming Xiao: University of Oklahoma
Jean-Pierre Wigneron: ISPA, UMR 1391, INRA Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Philippe Ciais: Université Paris-Saclay
Martin Brandt: University of Copenhagen
Lei Fan: Southwest University
Xiaojun Li: ISPA, UMR 1391, INRA Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Sean Crowell: University of Oklahoma
Xiaocui Wu: University of Oklahoma
Russell Doughty: University of Oklahoma
Yao Zhang: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Fang Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Stephen Sitch: University of Exeter
Berrien Moore: University of Oklahoma

Nature Climate Change, 2021, vol. 11, issue 5, 442-448

Abstract: Abstract Spatial–temporal dynamics of aboveground biomass (AGB) and forest area affect the carbon cycle, climate and biodiversity in the Brazilian Amazon. Here we investigate interannual changes in AGB and forest area by analysing satellite-based annual AGB and forest area datasets. We found that the gross forest area loss was larger in 2019 than in 2015, possibly due to recent loosening of forest protection policies. However, the net AGB loss was three times smaller in 2019 than in 2015. During 2010–2019, the Brazilian Amazon had a cumulative gross loss of 4.45 Pg C against a gross gain of 3.78 Pg C, resulting in a net AGB loss of 0.67 Pg C. Forest degradation (73%) contributed three times more to the gross AGB loss than deforestation (27%), given that the areal extent of degradation exceeds that of deforestation. This indicates that forest degradation has become the largest process driving carbon loss and should become a higher policy priority.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41558-021-01026-5

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