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A better Amazon road network for people and the environment
Thais Vilela1, Alfonso Malky Harb2, Aaron Bruner3
1Conservation Strategy Fund, Washington, DC 20009; thais@conservation-strategy.org alfonso@conservation-strategy.org.
Summary
Road expansion in the Amazon causes significant environmental harm and economic losses. Prioritizing economically viable projects can reduce deforestation and save billions, protecting the Amazon rainforest.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Road construction in the Amazon is accelerating deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
- Many proposed road projects lack thorough environmental and economic impact assessments.
- The expansion of infrastructure poses a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the environmental, social, and economic impacts of 75 proposed road projects in the Amazon.
- To identify economically unjustified projects and quantify their potential negative consequences.
- To determine optimal road project selection for balancing economic benefits with environmental and social costs.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive impact assessment of 75 road projects totaling 12,000 km.
- Economic viability analysis, including externalities.
- Comparative assessment of environmental and social impacts for selected projects.
Main Results:
- All analyzed road projects are projected to have negative environmental impacts.
- 45% of projects are expected to result in economic losses, even without considering externalities.
- Canceling unjustified projects could prevent 1.1 million hectares of deforestation and save US$7.6 billion.
Conclusions:
- Road development in the Amazon presents significant environmental and economic risks.
- Strategic selection of road projects can achieve substantial economic benefits with minimized ecological and social damage.
- Informed decision-making, prioritizing national priorities and economic viability, is crucial for sustainable Amazonian development.
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