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The Brazilian Amazon has the world's highest absolute rate of forest loss, currently averaging nearly 2 million hectares per year. In this study, we present a near-real-time automated deforestation mapping system for the Brazilian Amazon based on the analysis of spatial context information and MODIS Vegetation Index products and implemented on an ArcGIS 9.0 platform. This system, already validated and operational, was developed as part of the "Integrated Warning Deforestation System for the Amazon" (SIAD), an initiative of the Brazilian government within the scope of the Amazon Protection System (SIPAM), which also comprises: (1) a spatial information module, aimed at the assessment of the causes and impacts of the deforested areas; (2) a prediction module, indicative of deforestation trends; and (3) a data and information gateway based on map server technology.

The Brazilian Amazon has the world's highest absolute rate of forest loss, currently averaging nearly 2 million hectares per year. In this study, we present a near-real-time automated deforestation mapping system for the Brazilian Amazon based on the analysis of spatial context information and MODIS Vegetation Index products and implemented on an ArcGIS 9.0 platform. This system, already validated and operational, was developed as part of the "Integrated Warning Deforestation System for the Amazon" (SIAD), an initiative of the Brazilian government within the scope of the Amazon Protection System (SIPAM), which also comprises: (1) a spatial information module, aimed at the assessment of the causes and impacts of the deforested areas; (2) a prediction module, indicative of deforestation trends; and (3) a data and information gateway based on map server technology.

The Brazilian Cerrado is an extensive and complex biome, characterized by rapid and abrupt land cover changes. Due to its dimensions and physiognomic variations, the Cerrado plays an important role regarding the water, energy, and carbon fluxes at both the regional and global scales. Therefore, the correct understanding of the structure and ecological functioning of this biome, particularly in the temporal domain, is of great importance. With this respect, in this study we compared the seasonal response and land cover discrimination of the major MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) biophysical indices: the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), the leaf area index (LAI), and the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR). In spite of the fact the four indices showed similar temporal trends, the LAI showed the highest sensitivity to the seasonal variations of the natural and converted landscapes. On the other hand, the NDVI showed the best performance regarding land cover discrimination. Our results suggest a synergistic approach concerning the MODIS biophysical / ecological variables for land cover assessments and environmental monitoring of the Cerrado biome.

The Brazilian Cerrado is an extensive and complex biome, characterized by rapid and abrupt land cover changes. Due to its dimensions and physiognomic variations, the Cerrado plays an important role regarding the water, energy, and carbon fluxes at both the regional and global scales. Therefore, the correct understanding of the structure and ecological functioning of this biome, particularly in the temporal domain, is of great importance. With this respect, in this study we compared the seasonal response and land cover discrimination of the major MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) biophysical indices: the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), the leaf area index (LAI), and the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR). In spite of the fact the four indices showed similar temporal trends, the LAI showed the highest sensitivity to the seasonal variations of the natural and converted landscapes. On the other hand, the NDVI showed the best performance regarding land cover discrimination. Our results suggest a synergistic approach concerning the MODIS biophysical / ecological variables for land cover assessments and environmental monitoring of the Cerrado biome.