Peru's deforestation rate surged in 2005Rhett Butler
August 30, 2007
Peru's deforestation rates surged in 2005, according to new analysis published in the journal Science.
 Deforestation rates in Peru, 1999-2005  Comparison of deforestation rates in Brazil and Peru between 1999 and 2005. Images by Rhett A. Butler |
The researchers say that new logging concessions appear to have been a factor in the increase in forest disturbance between 2003 and 2005. Higher commodity prices for agricultural products may have also played a part.
The research nonetheless revealed some positive results.
"Overall, only 2% of the forest disturbances and 1% the deforestation detected in the entire study area occurred within the boundaries of natural protected areas. Furthermore, territories occupied by indigenous communities contained 11% and 9% of the total forest disturbance and deforestation, respectively," wrote the authors. "These results clearly show that these two forms of land-use allocation can provide effective protection against forest damage."
Peru has some 661,000 square kilometers of tropical forests—an area a little larger than France—and one of the lowest annual deforestation rates in the Amazon basin.
More details on the research can be found at Experts: parks effectively protect rainforest in Peru.
CITATION: P.J.C. Oliveira, G.P. Asner, D.E. Knapp, A. Almeyda, R. F. Raybin, A. Almeyda, R. Galván-Gildemeister, R.C. Smith, and S. Keene. (2007). Land-Use Allocation Protects the Peruvian Amazon. SCIENCE VOL 317 31 AUGUST 2007
