Spectral identification of successional stages following deforestation in the Amazon

Abstract

Land use and land cover features of a 3,000 sq. km. area west of Altamira, State of Para, Brazil, along the Transamazon Highway was assessed using three dates of Landsat TM data acquired for late July/early August 1985, 2988, and 1991. These data, supplemented by field observations and interviews with land users conducted in 1992, permitted classification of nine features, including three of secondary succession (SS). The research emphasis focused on developing multitemporal field level information through remote sensing that could be used to help assess SS characteristics vital in understanding the area dynamics and processes. Research results indicate that multitemporal TM data can be used successfully to identify three SS land cover classes and their rates of change. Classification accuracy of the features of interest varied from 81 to 98 percent. Information developed from analysis of the classifications included delineation of several patterns of different speeds or rates of SS, rate and spatial nature of deforestation from 1985–1991, and SS areas spectrally nearing or achieving mature moist forest signatures.