MAAP #90: Using Drones to monitor Deforestation and Illegal Logging
For the past three years, the organization Amazon Conservation has been working to establish a sustainable, local-based drones program for environmental monitoring in the southern Peruvian Amazon (Madre de Dios region). This program is based on two types of drones,…
MAAP Interactive: Deforestation Drivers in the Andean Amazon
Since its launch in April 2015, MAAP has published over 70 reports related to deforestation (and natural forest loss) in the Andean Amazon. We have thus far focused on Peru, with several reports in Colombia and Brazil as well. These…
MAAP #73: United States’ only National Tropical Rainforest ravaged by Hurricane Maria (Puerto Rico)
MAAP usually focuses on deforestation in the Andean Amazon region, but has a larger interest in tropical forests in general. Thus, we present this analysis in that larger framework. The New York Times recently reported that Hurricane Maria “obliterated” the…
MAAP #70: “Hurricane Winds” in the Peruvian Amazon, a 13 Year Analysis
In an earlier report, MAAP #54, we described the natural phenomenon of “hurricane winds” in the Peruvian Amazon. These strong wind storms (not true hurricanes) cause a chain reaction of fallen trees and may blow down hundreds of acres of…
MAAP #65: Deforestation Hotspots of 2017 in the Peruvian Amazon
In an earlier report, MAAP #40, we highlighted the power of combining early warning GLAD* alerts with analysis of high-resolution satellite images (for example, from the company Planet), as part of a comprehensive near real-time deforestation monitoring system. In the…
MAAP 59: Power of “Small Satellites” from Planet
The company Planet is pioneering the use of high-resolution “small satellites” (Image 59a). They are a fraction of the size and cost of traditional satellites, making it possible to produce and launch many as a large fleet. Indeed, Planet now…
MAAP #54: Natural forest loss due to “hurricane winds” in the Peruvian Amazon
A little-known, but not uncommon, type of natural forest loss in the Peruvian Amazon is blowdown due to strong winds from localized storms (locally known as “hurricane winds”). The intense winds cause a chain reaction of fallen trees, resulting in…