The Amazon Deforestation Calendar: Unveiling the role of marked seasonal patterns

Abstract The Amazon biome has experienced significant changes in its landscape, similar to other tropical forests, primarily due to changes in land use in the area. Despite previously established strategies to contain the advance of deforestation, we have observed an increase in deforestation rates recently. Our objective was to analyze deforestation in the biome using clustering and spatial analysis methods to understand deforestation patterns and spatio-temporal dynamics. Regions 1 and 2 stood out as priority areas for monitoring and combating deforestation. Human settlements, agricultural land, and undesignated public forests characterize these areas. Deforestation in these areas presents a significant level of seasonality in its mode and dynamics. The results emphasize that annual deforestation changes require strategies addressing territorial differences. Therefore, prevention and intervention measures must be adapted to seasonal variations and the specific characteristics of each region to combat deforestation in the Amazon biome effectively.