Expansion of Deforestation in the Maranhão Cerrado (2001–2023)

This repository contains the spatial analysis and datasets used in the study: "EXPANSION OF DEFORESTATION IN THE CERRADO (BRAZILIAN SAVANNA) OF MARANHÃO STATE, BRAZIL (2001-2023)".

Using PRODES data, this research examines the temporal evolution of deforestation across different territorial divisions in Maranhão. The analysis highlights a significant increase in deforestation since 2020 and identifies key regions under pressure, such as Balsas and the microregions of Presidente Dutra, Caxias, and Chapadinha.

Authors

• Luís Fernando Cirqueira da Silva Correia (Lead Author)

  • M.Sc. in Environmental Science and Technology
  • Federal University of Tocantins (UFT)
  • luis.correia@discente.ufma.br

• Sérgio Souza Costa

  • Ph.D. in Applied Computing
  • Associate Professor at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA)
  • sergio.costa@ufma.br

• Thomas Victor de Sousa Malheiros Rocha

  • M.Sc. in Environmental Science and Technology
  • Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA)
  • thomasvictor990@gmail.com

• Denilson da Silva Bezerra

  • Ph.D. in Earth System Science
  • Assistant Professor at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA)
  • denilson.bezerra@ufma.br

Methodology & Data

The study utilizes a regular grid analysis to eliminate municipal area bias, providing a clearer visual representation of how deforestation has spread across the Maranhão Cerrado over the last 22 years.

• Data Source: PRODES (INPE)
• Key Metrics: Absolute and relative deforestation, microregional variation, and municipal rankings.

Getting Started

1. Clone this repository:

   git clone [https://github.com/LambdaGeo/deforestation_cerrado_ma.git](https://github.com/LambdaGeo/deforestation_cerrado_ma.git)