Forest disturbance and recovery in Peruvian Amazonia

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Forestry
• Remote Sensing

Background:

• Amazonian forests are crucial biomass and biodiversity reservoirs for climate change mitigation.
• Forest disturbances are continuous, but their long-term impacts on biomass and biodiversity at scale remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the extent of recent forest disturbance in Peruvian Amazonia.
• To evaluate the effects of disturbance, environmental conditions, and human use on forest biomass and biodiversity.

Main Methods:

• Integration of tree-level data (aboveground biomass, species richness) from 1840 plots with remote sensing (Landsat-derived NDM I time series).
• Analysis of forest change dynamics and recovery trajectories post-disturbance.

Main Results:

• Disturbance intensity negatively affects aboveground biomass (AGB) and species richness.
• Recovery of AGB and species richness towards undisturbed levels is hindered by disturbance intensity.
• Time since disturbance positively impacts AGB but shows a slight negative effect on species richness.
• Surrounding forest cover positively influences AGB and species richness recovery, while forest accessibility negatively affects species composition recovery.

Conclusions:

• Approximately 15% of Peruvian Amazonian forests have experienced disturbance since 1984.
• Forest disturbance significantly impacts biomass and biodiversity, necessitating consideration in climate change mitigation strategies.
• Integrating forest inventory data with remote sensing is crucial for effective forest management and climate mitigation efforts.