Deforested area in the Cordillera Azul National Park during the years 2001-2022 using the Geobosques database

Abstract

This study analyzes deforestation in the Cordillera Azul Natural Protected Area (PNA) from 2001 to 2022. The goal is to assess forest cover loss, its impact on land area, and natural resource management. The following databases are considered in the study: "Forest-Non-Forest 2022" and "Forest Loss 2001-2022"; to contrast the current situation, the highest land-use layer with the lowest available anthropogenic influence, "Land Use-Change 2005", was used; all data were acquired from the Geobosques platform, part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Forestry (MINAM). The results indicate that, by 2022, 98.05% of the Cordillera Azul PNA is covered by forest, with a loss of 0.57% between 2001 and 2021. Meanwhile, in the buffer zone, 73.43% of the area is still forested, a loss of 11.37%. Deforestation has increased significantly in recent years, especially between 2009 and 2012, with 60,609.59 hectares deforested. The main causes identified are agriculture and illegal mining. Although the ANP has largely maintained its forest cover, the buffer zone requires more effective conservation or mitigation policies to reduce future deforestation.