Scientific American - USA (2012-12)

December 2021, ScientificAmerican.com 17

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decided whether to deal with the culprits on

their own or inform state authorities.

The researchers analyzed the same for-

est-loss satellite data from the given time

period in all 76 communities. They found

the early-alert program reduced forest loss

by 8.4 hectares in the first year—a 52 per-

cent reduction compared with the average

loss in the control communities, says study

co-author Tara Slough, a political econo-

mist at New York University. “This reduc-

tion in deforestation was concentrated in

communities facing the largest threat” of

forest loss, she adds. “If one were to con-

tinue the program, targeting it to the com-

munities facing the biggest threats should

avert the most tree-cover loss.”

Results for the monitoring program

were less striking in its second year, when

forest loss was reduced by only 3.3 hectares

compared with that in control communities.

The researchers suggest a Peruvian govern-

ment campaign against coca cultivation that

year may have discouraged deforestation in

both experimental and control communities’

territories, shrinking differences between

the two groups in the pilot program.

Experts say this approach to tackling

Amazonian deforestation—community

monitoring combined with smartphone

early alerts—looks promising. “Would this

work in all communities that have high risk

of deforestation? Given the results, it’s

worth a try,” says Catherine Tucker, a forest

governance researcher at the University

of Florida, who was not involved in the

study. But some communities may not have

access to the resources needed for such a

program, or their territories may hold valu-

able minerals or petroleum that would

increase the risk of deforestation by outsid-

ers despite monitoring efforts, Tucker notes.

Indigenous groups may continue the

work they started in the pilot program.

“We want to replicate this in other commu-

nities. In doing so, we are making a contri-

bution to the world,” wrote Francisco Her-

nandez Cayetano, a community member

involved in the research and president

of the Federation of the Ticuna and Yaguas

Communities of the Lower Amazon, in a

translated statement to Scientific American.

“We as Indigenous peoples ask the world

for support.” — Annie Sneed

Atlantic Forest in Brazil

December 2021, Scientifi cAmerican.com 17

FG Trade

Getty Images

decided whether to deal with the culprits on

their own or inform state authorities.

The researchers analyzed the same for-

est-loss satellite data from the given time

period in all 76 communities. They found

the early-alert program reduced forest loss

by 8.4 hectares in the fi rst year—a 52 per-

cent reduction compared with the average

loss in the control communities, says study

co-author Tara Slough, a political econo-

mist at New York University. “This reduc-

tion in deforestation was concentrated in

communities facing the largest threat” of

forest loss, she adds. “If one were to con-

tinue the program, targeting it to the com-

munities facing the biggest threats should

avert the most tree-cover loss.”

Results for the monitoring program

were less striking in its second year, when

forest loss was reduced by only 3.3 hectares

compared with that in control communities.

The researchers suggest a Peruvian govern-

ment campaign against coca cultivation that

year may have discouraged deforestation in

both experimental and control communities’

territories, shrinking diff erences between

the two groups in the pilot program.

Experts say this approach to tackling

Amazonian deforestation—community

monitoring combined with smartphone

early alerts—looks promising. “Would this

work in all communities that have high risk

of deforestation? Given the results, it’s

worth a try,” says Catherine Tucker, a forest

governance researcher at the University

of Florida, who was not involved in the

study. But some communities may not have

access to the resources needed for such a

program, or their territories may hold valu-

able minerals or petroleum that would

increase the risk of deforestation by outsid-

ers despite monitoring eff orts, Tucker notes.

Indigenous groups may continue the

work they started in the pilot program.

“We want to replicate this in other commu-

nities. In doing so, we are making a contri-

bution to the world,” wrote Francisco Her-

nandez Cayetano, a community member

involved in the research and president

of the Federation of the Ticuna and Yaguas

Communities of the Lower Amazon, in a

translated statement to Scientifi c American.

“We as Indigenous peoples ask the world

for support.” — Annie Sneed

Atlantic Forest in Brazil

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