Publications
Detecting Deforestation Using Logistic Analysis and Sentinel-1 Multitemporal Backscatter Data
A novel method using Sentinel-1 C-band backscattering data reveals that deforestation events can be accurately detected and dated in tropical forests, such as Iguazu National Park, with an F1-score of 0.93. This approach models temporal variability in backscatter intensity using a logistic function, identifying the inflection point as the deforestation date. While effective for tropical biomes, accuracy may drop by up to 20 percentage points in temperate forests due to environmental factors like rainfall and snow. The study demonstrates the potential of Sentinel C-band data for large-scale deforestation monitoring, with a slight delay of two months in estimating event dates.
Nationalizing Nature: Iguazu Falls and National Parks at the Brazil-Argentina Border
Frederico Freitas's 'Nationalizing Nature' reveals that the creation of Iguazu Falls National Parks in Brazil and Argentina during the 1930s was driven by nationalist motives to populate a contested borderland, rather than solely for conservation. This study demonstrates how these parks, later recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, successfully preserved one of the last large tracts of Atlantic Forest against extensive deforestation. Freitas's research, based on extensive archival sources and interviews with key figures, challenges conventional narratives about national park origins by highlighting their role in borderland development and later reorientation toward environmental preservation. The study also notes that depopulation efforts in these parks primarily affected recent immigrants rather than Indigenous communities, offering a nuanced perspective on the cultural construction of wilderness areas.
Nationalizing Nature
National parks in Latin America, including Iguazu National Park straddling the Brazil-Argentina border, have served as pivotal tools for territorial development and national identity. A study reveals that these protected areas were initially created in the 1930s to attract migrants from densely populated coastal regions to sparsely inhabited borderlands, effectively 'nationalizing' these lands. However, this approach shifted dramatically in the 1970s under military regimes, which violently evicted settlers, exposing the complex interplay between authoritarianism and conservation efforts. By analyzing nearly a century of national park history in Brazil and Argentina, the research demonstrates how conservation policies were intertwined with broader national programs aimed at frontier development and border control.
Geotourism a Global Activity
Geotourism, defined as sustainable tourism focused on experiencing and conserving geological features, offers multifaceted benefits including environmental protection, cultural understanding, and local economic growth. This approach integrates geological elements such as landscapes and landforms with traditional tourism components like attractions and interpretation to create a synergistic experience that appeals to diverse visitor interests. By engaging local communities in the promotion and provision of authentic experiences, geotourism fosters destination stewardship while generating jobs and income. Notable global examples include Iguazu Falls, highlighting its potential as a model for balancing conservation with tourism development.
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