GEO Brasil - UNEP

annex 1 - statistics - metadata
annex 1
Comments
Source
Observations
group of humid tropical forests in Brazil (the first one is the Amazon). There is a
great deal of biodiversity and, due to its geographical location, it underwent great
devastation from the beginning of the colonization of the country. Nowadays,
most of the remaining Atlantic Forest consists of secondary forests.
The area where remaining Atlantic Forest is found is presented for some of the
states where it occurred originally (ES, MG, GO, MS, RJ, SP, PR, SC and RS).
1) The remaining Atlantic Forest area was obtained based on the analysis and
interpretation of satellite images (Land-Sat TM). The images are provided by the
National Institute for Space Research and processed by the NGO “SOS Atlantic
Forest”.
2) Remaining forest areas were only identified and mapped in part of the Atlantic
Forest area. The data presented corresponds to the remaining Atlantic Forest
area in the states of ES, MG, GO, MS, RJ, SP, PR, SC and RS.
NGO “SOS ATLANTIC FOREST” (“SOS MATA ATLÂNTICA”)
14 Forest Fires and Clearing and Burning / Number of Heat Spots
Unit:
No.
Concept
There are forest fires and clearing and burning in the Brazilian territory. They are
represented by the number of heat spots detected by the satellite (NOAA series).
In most cases, specially in the Amazon (in the Deforestation Arch) and in Central
Brazil, these spots are areas where native vegetation was cut down and burnt for
cattle ranching and agricultural purposes.
Comments
1) The data collected by the satellites are analysed and interpreted by the National
Institute for Space Research (Ministry of Science and Technology), which
forwards the information to IBAMA (Ministry of the Environment). IBAMA then
consolidates it and makes it available to the public on the Internet (AMAZON
EMERGENCY FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROJECT).
2) Some of the heat spots detected correspond to the use of fire for pasture
renewal and for harvesting sugar cane. They are not related to native vegetation
clearing and burning for creating new areas for agro-pasture use.
3) Burning is the authorised and controlled use of fire in rural properties for the
purposes of pasture renewal, sugar-cane harvest, clearing of new agro-pasture
areas, etc. They are authorized by the responsible environmental agencies. Forest
fires result from unauthorized use of fire and burning that went out of control,
destroying not only areas with native vegetation but also those used for cattle
ranching and agriculture.
4) For the years 1998 and 1999, the data presented include the heat spots detected
during the period from June to December.
Source
IBAMA (AMAZON EMERGENCY FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROJECT)
– Evaluation and Monitoring of Forest Fire Risk in Critical Areas
Observations
1998 and 1999 - data referring to the period from June to December.
2001 – 145,708 heat spots.
15 Forest Coverage – Planted Forests
Unit:
1000 ha
Concept
Total area of planted forests in Brazil. The main species planted in the country are
exotic and belong to the Eucalyptus (eucalypts) and Pinus (pine trees) species.
340