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Reserves protect against deforestation fires in the Amazon
J Marion Adeney1, Norman L Christensen, Stuart L Pimm
1Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
Plos One
|April 9, 2009
Summary
Amazonian protected areas effectively reduce deforestation fires, particularly near roads. While not absolute, reserves significantly curb destructive burning, with all types showing similar effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Forest reserves are crucial for conserving biodiversity.
- The effectiveness of protected areas in the Amazon is debated.
- Fires, linked to deforestation, serve as a proxy for reserve effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess if Brazilian Amazon reserves protect against deforestation and fires.
- To determine if location or legal status influences reserve effectiveness.
- To compare the effectiveness of different reserve types.
Main Methods:
- Quantified satellite-detected hot pixels in relation to road distance.
- Analyzed data across the Brazilian Amazon over a decade, including El Niño years.
- Regressed fire occurrence against proximity to roads and human impact levels.
Main Results:
- Deforestation fires decreased exponentially with distance from roads in all areas.
- Protected areas had fewer fires than unprotected areas, especially near roads.
- Effectiveness varied with proximity to roads and regional human impact; El Niño's impact was greater outside reserves.
Conclusions:
- Amazonian reserves are effective in reducing destructive burning.
- Reserves provide significant protection against deforestation-driven fires.
- Indigenous, limited-use, and fully protected reserves showed comparable effectiveness.
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