Quantificação espaço-temporal da fragmentação florestal na Amazônia e seu impacto nos estoques de carbono.

Abstract

Between 1990 and 2021, the International Amazon lost 672,295 km² of forest cover. This study analyzed the impacts of forest fragmentation during this period, based on seven morphological landscape classes: Core, Edge, Bridge, Loop, Branch, Islet, and Perforation. The MSPA model and Sentinel-2 imagery were used to classify and quantify structural connectivity, estimating carbon stocks from aerial biomass data. CO₂ emission estimates were obtained based on recognized conversion factors. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between classes, with emphasis on the reduction of Core areas, the main carbon reservoirs. French Guiana maintained 74.22% of the forest in Core state; Bolivia, 27.06%; and Brazil, 43.29% of the remaining forest fragmented. The most isolated areas had lower biomass density, indicating high vulnerability to degradation. In total, estimated emissions resulting from fragmentation amounted to 9.48 Pg of CO₂, equivalent to 31.61% of total emissions from deforestation during the period. The data show that forest fragmentation contributes significantly to the increase in emissions and reinforces the importance of maintaining large continuous blocks of vegetation for the integrity of ecosystems.