New tools expand forest and carbon monitoring

The Amazon Regional Observatory (ARO/ACTO) received, on the 5th, a technical presentation from the science and technology nonprofit CTrees on new forest monitoring tools based on remote sensing and carbon modeling. The initiative is part of ORA’s efforts to identify and assess solutions that can strengthen the capacity of Amazonian countries to understand and respond to ongoing transformations in the region.

CTrees has developed a global system to monitor, report, and verify carbon stocks and land-use activities across terrestrial ecosystems. Founded in 2022 in California (United States) by scientists, its products are being used by governments and international organizations to measure the impacts of programs and projects.

The presentation to ARO and invited participants addressed datasets capable of tracking, at high spatial and temporal resolution, dynamics such as forest biomass, degradation, carbon emissions, and changes in land cover. Among the advances discussed are historical time series spanning more than two decades and systems with frequent updates that allow the detection of forest changes and the identification of possible drivers such as fire, logging, or road expansion.

Methodologies to estimate carbon stocks, canopy height, and forest regeneration processes were also presented, along with models that integrate environmental variables to support wildfire risk analysis.

For ARO director Arnaldo Carneiro, the key interest lies in the practical application of these tools in the Amazon context. “We are at the center of a network that connects eight countries, and our role is to identify the best available solutions, adapt them to local realities, and ensure they reach decision-makers,” he said.

According to Carneiro, there is growing demand for data that can help anticipate extreme events and better understand forest degradation dynamics. “There is a sense of urgency regarding climate and fire. We need tools that allow us to better understand how the forest responds to these pressures over time,” he added.

The presentation was delivered by Janet Smith, Director of Partnerships and Development at CTrees, who highlighted efforts to expand access to high-quality environmental data. “Our goal is for these data to be used and to generate impact. That only happens when we work in collaboration with local institutions that understand the territory and can guide the most appropriate use of the information,” she said. She also noted that part of the data is already publicly available and that there is interest in developing joint applications with partners in the Amazon.

The discussion reinforced ARO’s priorities for 2026, with a focus on climate, fire, and water. In this context, tools aimed at monitoring forest degradation and predicting wildfires are becoming increasingly strategic. The models presented suggest that combining information on fuel load, vegetation moisture, and climate patterns can help identify high-risk areas and support preventive actions.

Another key point was the importance of building solutions with the participation of Amazonian countries. The adoption of global datasets increasingly depends on collaborative processes that involve national institutions in adapting and validating the information.

The meeting also opened the way for deeper technical engagement on priority topics and for future sessions with regional experts. The expectation is to advance the integration of relevant data into ARO platforms and to explore opportunities for future cooperation in projects focused on climate adaptation.