Characterizing degradation of palm swamp peatlands from space and on the ground: An exploratory study in the Peruvian Amazon

• DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2017.03.016
• Publication Date: 2017-03-23T11:31:01Z
• Authors: Kristell Hergoualc'h; Victor Hugo Gutié...; Mary Menton; Louis V. Verchot
• Keywords: Swamp; Forest degradation

Peru has the fourth largest area of peatlands in Tropics. Its most representative land cover on peat is a Mauritia flexuosa dominated palm swamp (thereafter called dense PS), which been under human pressure over decades due to high demand for M. fruit often collected by cutting down entire palm. Degradation these carbon forests can substantially affect emissions greenhouse gases and contribute climate change. The first objective this research was assess impact PS degradation forest structure biomass stocks. second one explore potential mapping distribution with different levels using remote sensing data methods. Biomass stocks were measured 0.25 ha plots established areas low (n = 2 plots), medium 2) 4). We combined field from satellites Landsat TM ALOS/PALSAR discriminate between typifying low, terra firme, restinga mixed (not dominated) forests. For we used Random Forest machine learning classification algorithm. Results suggest shift composition woody tree following degradation. also found that intervention translates into significant reductions initial (above below-ground) (135.4 ± 4.8 Mg C ha−1) decreased 11 17% analysis indicates separability all other categories. Dense highly separable categories except PS. showed both active passive sensors are important Overall accuracy (91%). pilot encouraging further use methods monitoring at broader scales Peruvian Amazon. Providing precise estimates spatial extent derived required assessing national essential supporting initiatives aiming reducing activities.