Deforestation associated with illegal mining in the buffer zone of the Tambopata national reserve, Peru (2010 - 2025)
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This study assessed deforestation associated with illegal mining in the buffer zone of the Tambopata National Reserve, Peru, during the period 2010 - 2025. A quantitative approach with a non-experimental, descriptive-correlational design was used, employing geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Landsat satellite images (5, 7, and 8) were downloaded from Google Earth Engine. Using RStudio and QGIS, the Bare Soil Index (BSI) was calculated and processed to detect deforested areas, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to measure forest cover. The results show an increase in deforestation associated with illegal mining, rising from 3.45 km² in 2010 to 132.29 km² in 2025. Similarly, the population of the Inambari district increased from 8947 to 18646 inhabitants during the same period. In contrast, forest cover decreased from 447.66 km² to 323.24 km². Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant negative associations between deforestation and forest cover (r = -0.97; p < 0.001). Taken together, these findings indicate patterns of temporal covariation between the expansion of deforestation, forest reduction, and population growth; however, these associations do not necessarily imply direct causal relationships. These findings provide relevant evidence for environmental monitoring and management in buffer zones subject to anthropogenic pressure.
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