The creation of Protected Areas (Conservation Units and Indigenous Lands) has been one of the most effective strategies against deforestation in the Amazon. These areas, which occupy about 44% of the Amazon, play an essential role in the conservation of natural resources (especially biodiversity) and environmental services, and ensure the rights of traditional and indigenous populations.

The current challenge is to ensure the effective protection of these territories against illegal deforestation, predatory logging and risk of disaffection. Furthermore, it is necessary to move forward the process of consolidation of these areas with the development and implementation of management plans and land regularization (where it is required).

According to Imazon’s Deforestation Alert System (SAD) at least 49 of the 660 Protected Areas in the Amazon were illegally cleared in 2013. These areas are mainly concentrated in western Pará and Rondônia. Also, 38 Protected Areas (mainly Conservation Units) had its bounds altered with a net loss of 25 thousand square kilometers of protection until the same year. In turn, by December 2013, about 32 000 square kilometers were objects of law projects and lawsuits aimed at removing its legal protection. Another important issue is the need for creation of new areas. As an example, we have the recommendation made by the environmental impact report of Belo Monte project: the creation of about 15 000 square kilometers of protected areas, which has not been heeded.

Imazon has worked in many fronts supporting the creation and consolidation of Protected Areas. Among the activities of the Institute are the monitoring of all areas with satellite images (allows the detection of deforestation and logging), studies that resulted in the creation of 25 million hectares of Protected Areas in the Amazon, and the support to the implementation of 12,9 million hectares of protected areas in Calha Norte region, in Pará.

Videos

Protected Areas

Imazon has published the book “Protected Areas in the Brazilian Amazon: Challenges & Opportunities“. In this video, senior researcher Adalberto Veríssimo talks about the importance of conducting a diagnosys on protected areas (in portuguese).

Biodiversity in Calha Norte region

Researcher Jakeline Pereira talks about the importance of biodiversity in Calha Norte region in the State of Pará (in portuguese).

Mapas

Infographics

Na Mídia

Headquartered in Belém, Brazil, Imazon is a non-profit organization focused on promoting sustainable development in the Amazon rainforest. In 2013, the Innovation Investment Alliance—a partnership between USAID and the Skoll Foundation, supported by Mercy Corps—invested in Imazon to support the decentralization of deforestation control and management across fifty municipalities in the state of Pará.
Read more
The indicators currently being used to guide policy and investments into protected areas in the Amazon may not be having the desired effect. This is according to a new study published today, 27 March, in IOP Publishing’s journal Environmental Research Letters, which has analysed 66 protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon and performed a critical
Read more

Publicações

Martins, H., Vedoveto, M., Araújo, E., Barreto, P., Baima, S., Souza Jr., C., & Veríssimo, A. 2012. Critical Proteced Areas in the Brazilian Amazon (p. 98). Belém: Imazon. Find the PAs in the Brazilian Amazon in most critical situation with regard to deforestation and initiatives to reduce their size or protection status. Protected Areas (PAs)1
Read more
Bernard, E., Penna, L. A. O., & Araújo, E. 2014. Downgrading, Downsizing, Degazettement, and Reclassification of Protected Areas in Brazil. Conservation Biology, 28(2), 1523–1739.
Read more

Leia também:

After you have typed in some text, hit ENTER to start searching...