Imazon’s artificial intelligence platform, which receives support from Fundo Vale to predict high-risk areas and prevent deforestation, now uses data from Rural Environmental Registry
Photo: Pedro Cattony
PrevisIA, a tool that is innovating in forest protection, currently estimates that 8,959 km² of habitat in Brazil’s Amazon region is at risk of deforestation. Pará remains the most vulnerable Brazilian state, with 3,439 km² at risk, of which approximately 21% is classified as very high risk.
PrevisIA is an artificial intelligence platform developed by the Institute for the Amazon’s People and Environment (Imazon) with support from Fundo Vale, which uses data from various sources to predict and prevent illegal deforestation. Unlike traditional warning systems, which analyze past data, PrevisIA enables effective preventive actions by offering a proactive vision. Since its launch in 2021, the platform has been improved to better serve agencies such as the Pará State Public Prosecutors’ Office.
“Fundo Vale’s support has been essential to the development and implementation of PrevisIA. Its support has enabled continuous engagement with the Pará State Public Prosecutors’ Office and other bodies, consolidating the tool as a strategic resource in the fight against deforestation. Fundo Vale not only observes the results, but also discusses ideas and better ways of using and communicating the tool,” says Paulo Amaral, an associate researcher at Imazon.
Prevention protocol
In addition to using satellite images to monitor changes in forest cover, rainfall and temperature information, and data on historical land use and agricultural activities, PrevisIA has now started to use information on rural properties contained in the Rural Environmental Registry. In 2023, it was identified that 52% of the rural properties in the registry were in high- or very high-risk areas, responsible for 69% of deforestation.
The Pará State Public Prosecutors’ Office, through its Operational Support Center, is testing a specific protocol for dealing with rural producers whose properties are identified by PrevisIA as high or very high risk. The process involves sending an individualized bulletin to each producer, alerting them to the high probability of deforestation on their property. This bulletin provides essential information for the producer to make informed decisions and avoid illegal practices.
“The importance of directly informing rural producers lies in the fact that they are the ones who make the final decision about land use. After being warned about this risk, they can consult the environmental agencies before carrying out any activity that could result in deforestation, ensuring that they comply with environmental legislation,” explains Paulo Amaral.
Cross-checking with data from Brazilian Social Progress Index
In future, PrevisIA will also use data from the Brazilian Social Progress Index (SPI) to identify areas at risk. Studies show that the 29 locations with the highest rates of accumulated deforestation have levels of human development well below the national average.
SPI is an internationally well-regarded indicator created in 2013 to analyze the social and environmental conditions of any location. Underpinned by the understanding that development indicators based solely on economic indicators are insufficient, SPI uses exclusively social and environmental variables. In Brazil, Imazon has led the publication of this indicator for the Amazon region since 2014.
Lowest deforestation in 10 years
According to Imazon’s Deforestation Alert System, in the first half of 2024, deforestation in conservation areas in the Amazon was the lowest in the last 10 years, totaling 93 km², down 18% from the same period of 2023. Indigenous lands also showed a significant reduction, with the lowest destruction since 2016, amounting to 15 km².