Forest Degradation in the Brazilian Amazon

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes forest degradation in the Brazilian Amazon from 2007 to 2016, defining it as the partial loss of forest biomass. The study finds that degradation is a large-scale phenomenon that often precedes or occurs near clear-cut deforestation, with the relationship varying significantly based on land tenure categories. The authors argue that degradation should be a priority for conservation policy as a leading indicator of imminent environmental damage.

• Forest degradation is a widespread issue in the Amazon, affecting larger areas than clear-cut deforestation. Between 2007 and 2016, an average of 11,000 km2 of forest were degraded annually, which is double the annual average for deforested areas in that same period. Annual degraded areas fluctuated between a minimum of 2,700 km2 in 2014 and a peak of 23,700 km2 in 2016.
• Degradation is geographically concentrated in the Arc of Deforestation, with the states of Par and Mato Grosso accounting for 75% of degraded areas and 64% of deforested areas per year on average.
• The primary drivers of forest degradation in Brazil are forest fires and selective logging. Selective logging involves extracting specific high-value timber species, which damages surrounding vegetation through the creation of storage yards and access roads. Fires typically destroy fragile plants first, making the remaining vegetation more vulnerable to subsequent burn cycles.
• While only 9% of degraded areas are deforested on-site within three years across the whole Amazon, degradation often serves as a regional indicator for nearby deforestation. The likelihood of degradation being followed by on-site or nearby deforestation increased toward the end of the sample period across all land tenure categories.
• The relationship between degradation and deforestation is heavily influenced by land tenure. In small private properties and rural settlements, degradation is frequently followed by nearby and on-site deforestation, possibly because gradual removal of cover is cheaper for those with limited financing. In contrast, protected territories show consistently low conversion rates from degradation to deforestation, likely due to the higher risk of detection and harsher penalties for environmental crimes.
• The study identifies three distinct patterns of forest conversion based on tenure: 1) low conversion in protected territories; 2) high nearby and on-site conversion in small properties and rural settlements; and 3) a moderate, heterogeneous pattern in unidentified areas, undesignated public areas, and medium/large private properties.

APA

Gandour, C., Menezes, D., Vieira, J. P., & Assunção, J. (2021). Forest Degradation in the Brazilian Amazon. Climate Policy Initiative. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DQ-Forest-Degradation-in-the-Brazilian-Amazon.pdf

Chicago

Gandour, Clarissa, Diego Menezes, João Pedro Vieira, and Juliano Assunção. Forest Degradation in the Brazilian Amazon. Climate Policy Initiative, 2021. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DQ-Forest-Degradation-in-the-Brazilian-Amazon.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gandour |first1=Clarissa |last2=Menezes |first2=Diego |last3=Vieira |first3=João Pedro |last4=Assunção |first4=Juliano |title=Forest Degradation in the Brazilian Amazon |publisher=Climate Policy Initiative |date=March 2021 |url=https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DQ-Forest-Degradation-in-the-Brazilian-Amazon.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gandour2021forest, author = {Gandour, Clarissa and Menezes, Diego and Vieira, João Pedro and Assunção, Juliano}, title = {{Forest Degradation in the Brazilian Amazon}}, institution = {Climate Policy Initiative}, year = {2021}, month = mar, url = {https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DQ-Forest-Degradation-in-the-Brazilian-Amazon.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }