Through DETER's Lens: The Relationship between Degradation and Deforestation in the Amazon

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the relationship between forest degradation and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon from 2017 to 2020 using data from the DETER and PRODES monitoring systems. The study finds that while direct local conversion from degradation to deforestation is low, there is a strong spatial association, with a significant portion of deforestation occurring in the immediate vicinity of previously degraded areas, particularly in medium or large private properties, rural settlements, and undesignated areas.

• Between 2017 and 2020, the Brazilian Amazon experienced an average annual forest degradation of over 17,000 square kilometers, which is nearly double the average annual deforestation rate for the same period.
• Forest degradation in the Amazon is primarily driven by fire, with 'Forest Fire Burned Area' alerts accounting for more than 70% of the total degraded area. 'Degradation' and 'Selective Extraction' categories make up 16% and 12%, respectively.
• Degradation is heavily concentrated in the states of Mato Grosso (40% of total) and Pará (33% of total), a distribution that differs from clear-cut deforestation, where Pará accounts for 40% and Mato Grosso for 18%.
• The rate of local conversion—where the exact same area of degradation is later deforested—is low, representing only 10% of total deforestation measured by PRODES between 2017 and 2020.
• There is a strong regional association between degradation and deforestation; 20% of total deforestation occurred within 0.5 kilometers of previous degradation alerts, and 30% occurred within 1 kilometer.
• The spatial association between degradation and deforestation varies by land tenure, being most frequent in undesignated areas, rural settlements, and medium or large private properties. Degradation is more concentrated in medium or large private properties than deforestation is.

APA

Climate Policy Initiative (2021). Through DETER's Lens: The Relationship between Degradation and Deforestation in the Amazon. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/through-deters-lens-the-relationship-between-degradation-and-deforestation-in-the-amazon/

Chicago

Climate Policy Initiative. Through DETER's Lens: The Relationship between Degradation and Deforestation in the Amazon. 2021. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/through-deters-lens-the-relationship-between-degradation-and-deforestation-in-the-amazon/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Policy Initiative |title=Through DETER's Lens: The Relationship between Degradation and Deforestation in the Amazon |date=1 December 2021 |url=https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/through-deters-lens-the-relationship-between-degradation-and-deforestation-in-the-amazon/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatepolicyinitiative2021through, author = {{Climate Policy Initiative}}, title = {{Through DETER's Lens: The Relationship between Degradation and Deforestation in the Amazon}}, institution = {Climate Policy Initiative}, year = {2021}, month = dec, url = {https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/through-deters-lens-the-relationship-between-degradation-and-deforestation-in-the-amazon/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }