Effectiveness of protected areas in containing the loss of Peruvian Amazonian forests

Peruvian Amazonian Forests (PAF), vital for biodiversity, climate, and human well-being, lost 2.92M ha during 2001–2022, mainly due to anthropogenic activities. This prompted strategies to conserve and protect the PAF, such as land use and natural resource restrictions, with natural protected areas...

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Main Authors: Nilton B. Rojas-Briceño, Verónica Cajas-Bravo, Alexander Pasquel-Cajas, Betty K. Guzman, Jhonsy O. Silva-López, Jaris Veneros, Ligia García
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Trees, Forests and People
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719325000068
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author Nilton B. Rojas-Briceño
Verónica Cajas-Bravo
Alexander Pasquel-Cajas
Betty K. Guzman
Jhonsy O. Silva-López
Jaris Veneros
Ligia García
author_facet Nilton B. Rojas-Briceño
Verónica Cajas-Bravo
Alexander Pasquel-Cajas
Betty K. Guzman
Jhonsy O. Silva-López
Jaris Veneros
Ligia García
author_sort Nilton B. Rojas-Briceño
collection DOAJ
description Peruvian Amazonian Forests (PAF), vital for biodiversity, climate, and human well-being, lost 2.92M ha during 2001–2022, mainly due to anthropogenic activities. This prompted strategies to conserve and protect the PAF, such as land use and natural resource restrictions, with natural protected areas (NPAs) being the main strategy. This study evaluated the effectiveness of 41 NPAs in containing deforestation in the PAF by analyzing national spatial data. An Effectiveness Index (EI) was constructed by adding five standardized parameters: (1) the percentage of deforested area (DA%) and (2) its annual rate of change (DAr) between 2000 and 2022 inside each NPA, (3) the difference in DAr between NPAs and their surrounding areas, (4) their corresponding ecoregions, and (5) the entire PAF. In 2000, the DA% was 7.15 % of the PAF, increasing to 10.88 % in 2022. NPAs showed lower DAr than their surrounding areas and ecoregions, except for five NPAs. Of the 41 NPAs, nine were non-effective (EI≤3), 31 moderately effective (3<EI<4), and only one effective (EI≥4). Indirect-use NPAs (strict with integral protection) were slightly more effective than direct-use NPAs (where sustainable use is allowed). Among national categories, the 11 National Parks, equivalent to IUCN Category II, had the highest average EI (3.414). In general, NPAs have shown moderate effective in containing deforestation, and require risk-specific mitigation strategies, especially in NPAs with low DA% but high DAr. Finally, a quantitative and systematic assessment tool is provided, which can improve the formulation of strategies to mitigate deforestation and preserve crucial ecosystem services in PAF.
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spelling doaj-art-1ece7df417704ddc9cb66710fd4e1f202025-08-20T02:11:09ZengElsevierTrees, Forests and People2666-71932025-03-011910077810.1016/j.tfp.2025.100778Effectiveness of protected areas in containing the loss of Peruvian Amazonian forestsNilton B. Rojas-Briceño0Verónica Cajas-Bravo1Alexander Pasquel-Cajas2Betty K. Guzman3Jhonsy O. Silva-López4Jaris Veneros5Ligia García6Grupo de Investigación en Ciencia de la Información Geoespacial – CIGEO, Instituto de Investigación para el Desarrollo del Perú, Universidad Nacional de Moquegua, Pacocha 18610, PeruEscuela de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco 10003, PeruEscuela de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco 10003, PeruEstación Experimental Agraria Moquegua, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Panamericana Sur km. 4.5, Moquegua 18001, PeruÁrea de Cartografía y Teledetección, Laboratorio de Agrostología, Instituto de Investigación en Ganadería y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Chachapoyas 01001, PeruInstituto de Investigación para el Desarrollo Sustentable de Ceja de Selva, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Chachapoyas 01001, PeruInstituto de Investigación para el Desarrollo Sustentable de Ceja de Selva, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Chachapoyas 01001, Peru; Corresponding author.Peruvian Amazonian Forests (PAF), vital for biodiversity, climate, and human well-being, lost 2.92M ha during 2001–2022, mainly due to anthropogenic activities. This prompted strategies to conserve and protect the PAF, such as land use and natural resource restrictions, with natural protected areas (NPAs) being the main strategy. This study evaluated the effectiveness of 41 NPAs in containing deforestation in the PAF by analyzing national spatial data. An Effectiveness Index (EI) was constructed by adding five standardized parameters: (1) the percentage of deforested area (DA%) and (2) its annual rate of change (DAr) between 2000 and 2022 inside each NPA, (3) the difference in DAr between NPAs and their surrounding areas, (4) their corresponding ecoregions, and (5) the entire PAF. In 2000, the DA% was 7.15 % of the PAF, increasing to 10.88 % in 2022. NPAs showed lower DAr than their surrounding areas and ecoregions, except for five NPAs. Of the 41 NPAs, nine were non-effective (EI≤3), 31 moderately effective (3<EI<4), and only one effective (EI≥4). Indirect-use NPAs (strict with integral protection) were slightly more effective than direct-use NPAs (where sustainable use is allowed). Among national categories, the 11 National Parks, equivalent to IUCN Category II, had the highest average EI (3.414). In general, NPAs have shown moderate effective in containing deforestation, and require risk-specific mitigation strategies, especially in NPAs with low DA% but high DAr. Finally, a quantitative and systematic assessment tool is provided, which can improve the formulation of strategies to mitigate deforestation and preserve crucial ecosystem services in PAF.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719325000068DeforestationEcological effectivenessEcological integrityProtected natural areasLand coverLand use
spellingShingle Nilton B. Rojas-Briceño
Verónica Cajas-Bravo
Alexander Pasquel-Cajas
Betty K. Guzman
Jhonsy O. Silva-López
Jaris Veneros
Ligia García
Effectiveness of protected areas in containing the loss of Peruvian Amazonian forests
Trees, Forests and People
Deforestation
Ecological effectiveness
Ecological integrity
Protected natural areas
Land cover
Land use
title Effectiveness of protected areas in containing the loss of Peruvian Amazonian forests
title_full Effectiveness of protected areas in containing the loss of Peruvian Amazonian forests
title_fullStr Effectiveness of protected areas in containing the loss of Peruvian Amazonian forests
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of protected areas in containing the loss of Peruvian Amazonian forests
title_short Effectiveness of protected areas in containing the loss of Peruvian Amazonian forests
title_sort effectiveness of protected areas in containing the loss of peruvian amazonian forests
topic Deforestation
Ecological effectiveness
Ecological integrity
Protected natural areas
Land cover
Land use
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719325000068
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