System for Monitoring Timber Harvesting (Simex): Mapping logging in Mato Grosso State – August 2022 to July 2023

Several authors. System for Monitoring Timber Harvesting (Simex): Mapping logging in Mato Grosso State – August 2022 to July 2023. Belém: Imazon, Idesam, Imaflora e ICV.

Between August 2022 and July 2023, 219,032 hectares of logging were mapped in Mato Grosso, which represents a 16% reduction in the area explored in the state compared to the period of 2022, where 259,620 hectares were mapped.

To analyze the legality of the mapped exploration areas, were verified 455 forestry exploration authorizations issued by the State Secretariat for the Environment (Sema/MT). This assessment identified that 78% of the mapped logging area (170,960 hectares) was logged legally, that is, with valid authorization and within the authorized area. Authorized logging decreased by 5% compared to 2022.

Illegal logging affected 48,072 hectares of forests in Mato Grosso, which represents 22% of the total logging mapped in 2023. There was a 40% reduction in the illegally logged area compared to the previous period. 64% of this illegally exploited area occurred on private rural properties. In indigenous lands there was a 42% reduction in illegal logging and in conservation units this reduction was 82%, compared to the previous period.

ASSESSMENT OF LEGALITY

From the identification and mapping of logging, we assessed legality by comparing the mapped exploration area with valid Forest Exploration Authorizations (Autex and AEF) issued by Sema/MT. These databases are publicly available on the Transparency Portal and the Integrated Environmental Monitoring and Licensing System (Simlam), both managed by the state agency. Both the mapping and the validation of the legality checked were carried out in technical cooperation between the Instituto Centro de Vida (ICV) and the Geoprocessing and Environmental Monitoring Coordination (CGMA) of Sema/MT.

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