Land use intensification and abandonment in Rondônia, Brazilian Amazônia

Abstract

An analysis of the evolution of deforestation and secondary vegetation in abandoned areas in a region of Rondônia was based on classifications of 1985 and 1995 Landsat Thematic Mapper images. Secondary vegetation corresponded to 28% of the deforested area in both years. Deforested area and secondary vegetation were calculated for 2.5 km 2 2.5 km cells. During the period of study, deforestation tended to increase in cells that showed the highest fractions of deforestation in 1985, particularly near the region's main road, where forest clearing may have exceeded frequently the 50% legal limits in force in 1995. The relative importance of secondary vegetation tended to decrease in cells with more deforestation and increased near the edge of the deforestation process, in newly settled areas. Concentration of deforestation and the concurrent decrease of secondary vegetation suggest a scenario of land use intensification based on pasture expansion, where abandonment and large patches of secondary vegetation become infrequent.