The table below presents the estimates of net CO2 emissions based on the representation of the secondary vegetation dynamics (in areas that suffered clear-cut deforestation previously). The current results point out that, with the fall of the primary (old growth) forest deforestation, the influence of the growth of secondary vegetation in the carbon balance is becoming larger.

 

The table below summarizes the secondary vegetation parameters adopted for these estimates. Data from TerraClass system is used as the basis for the parameters that define the location of the secondary vegetation in deforested areas (through a parameter that defines the percentage of deforested area to be abandoned after a few years in each cell). The system estimates these areas as a percentage of deforested areas identified 2002 PRODES system. Almeida (2009) estimated the half-life of the secondary vegetation in the Brazilian Amazon for different areas using 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2006 sampled satellite images. As TerraClass system consolidates (now it is available for 2008, 2010 and 2012), providing a wall to wall periodically assessment of the secondary vegetation dynamics in the region, it will be possible to better understand and refine the life cycle parameters.