Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Siqueira-Gay, Juliana
• Sonter, Laura J.
• Sánchez, Luis E.

Titel

Exploring potential impacts of mining on forest loss and fragmentation within a biodiverse region of Brazil's northeastern Amazon

Ist Teil von

• Resources policy, 2020-08, Vol.67, p.101662, Article 101662

Ort / Verlag

Kidlington: Elsevier Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2020

Quelle

PAIS Index

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Mining is a significant driver of deforestation. Not only do mines clear native forests for mineral extraction, they also often establish new infrastructure, which indirectly facilitates new access to land and further clearing. Forest loss and fragmentation have serious effects on biodiversity, yet rarely are these cumulative impacts of mining studied at the regional scale. Here, we examine potential impacts of mining in a biodiverse region of the Brazilian Amazon. The National Reserve of Copper and Associates (“Renca”) is currently off limits to mining activities but was recently threatened with a move to permit mineral exploration. We analyzed historic forest loss and fragmentation within two mining regions neighboring Renca. We also investigated historic deforestation trajectories within Renca's protected areas, to determine how well conserved these forests are against current threats. We found that mining, and other infrastructure associated with mines (i.e. roads), caused significant forest loss and fragmentation within neighboring mining sectors, and that Renca's protected areas are not currently immune to forest loss. Permitting new mines within and surrounding Renca will place additional pressure on its biodiversity. If mineral development is to proceed, huge regulatory changes will be required to effectively manage negative impacts on forests and biodiversity. Environmental Impact Assessments for new mining projects must assess and mitigate the cumulative region-wide effects on forests, while existing protected areas must be strengthened to ensure they are not directly or indirectly compromised by mining activities. •Renca is a biodiverse, mineral-rich region currently off limits to mining.•Mining in regions neighboring Renca has caused extensive forest loss and fragmentation.•Permitting mining within Renca would likely yield similar consequences.•Renca's protected areas are also not currently immune to forest loss.•Strengthening environmental policies may mitigate some negative impacts.