Amazon Rain Forest Projects & Research
Brazil's
National Institute of Space Research
INPE is a federal public institution of Brazil, linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications.
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Earth Observation INPE started using remote sensing technology in 1974, producing their first Amazon deforestation map by 1979. The Brazilian government gave INPE the mission to develop and implement a multifaceted system to monitor the annual rate of deforestation.
The programs to monitor forest change are PRODES, DETER, DEGRAD and TerraClass. INPE utilizes data derived from these programs to provide the Brazilian government and citizens with accurate annual deforestation data.
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All programs within Earth Observation INPE utilize TerraAmazon, a geographic information system, that is also available to the public, free of charge.
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(Abramof, E., Shitara, N., Wuensche de Souza, C. A., Rodrigues Blanco, C., Chagas Junior, M., & Redivo, S. (2016, June 30). 2016-2019 Plano Diretor [PDF]. São José dos Campos)
PRODES produces vector maps and satellite images of deforestation using satellite data. When PRODES was first established, they used printed images obtained from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper. Today, PRODES uses images from numerous satellite programs:
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CBERS-2 and CBERS-2B, operated by China and Brazil's Earth Resources Satellite Program.
LISS-3 and Resourcesat-1, operated by the Indian Space Research Organization.
UK-DMC2, operated by the United Kingdom.
Free PRODES Data Available to the Public
(Camara, G., Valeriano, D., & Vianei, J. (2013, October 30). Metodologia para o Cálculo da Taxa Anual de Desmatamento na Amazônia Legal[PDF]. São Jose dos Campos.)
DEGRAD was developed to monitor areas that are in the process of deforestation. Using images from LANDAT and CBERS satellites, DEGRAD highlights areas of degradation by applying contrast enhancements in order to map degraded areas individually.
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Free DEGRAD Vector maps and satellite images from 2007-2010 are available here
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The DEFRAD image below illustrates three patterns of forest degradation by logging
Remote Sensing Patterns
Moderate intensity degradation
Regenerating area after logging
High intensity degradation
Active Logging
Light intensity degradation
Newly opened access roads
(Observação da Terra. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2018, from http://www.obt.inpe.br/OBT/assuntos/programas/amazonia/degrad)
The TerraClass Project qualifies deforestation and provides subsidies to better understand land use and land cover. TerraClass investigates the reasons behind deforestation and can provide possible causes of felled trees. TerraClass They are able to make an evaluation of the dynamics of the use and occupation of the deforested areas in maps since 2004.