MAPBIOMAS

Overview

The MapBiomas project provides comprehensive satellite-based data on land cover and land use changes across Brazil. The project uses machine learning algorithms applied to Landsat satellite imagery to classify and track changes in biomes, land cover types, and economic activities over time. This dataset is essential for understanding deforestation, agricultural expansion, conservation outcomes, and landscape dynamics in the Amazon and other biomes.

MapBiomas represents one of the most detailed and scientifically rigorous sources of remote sensing data on Brazilian land cover, with coverage spanning from 1985 to present and annual updates.

Data Coverage

The MapBiomas dataset includes:

Available Datasets

1. Land Cover ("mapbiomas_cover")

Annual maps of land cover types including: - Forest Types: Native forest, forest formation, forest plantation - Non-Forest Vegetation: Grassland/pasture, shrub vegetation, herbaceous - Agricultural Land: Temporary crops (annual/seasonal), perennial crops (sugarcane, coffee, cocoa) - Urban Areas: Urban/built-up land and infrastructure - Water Bodies: Rivers, lakes, reservoirs, aquaculture - Non-vegetated: Mining, bare soil, rock outcrops - Other Categories: Cloud coverage, nodata

Key Applications: Deforestation monitoring, agricultural expansion, urbanization patterns, forest conservation

2. Land Cover Transitions ("mapbiomas_transition")

Year-to-year changes in land cover including: - Deforestation: Conversion from forest to other uses - Reforestation: Conversion to forest types - Agricultural Transitions: Changes between crop types or from other uses to agriculture - Degradation: Forest to degraded/shrub vegetation - Regeneration: Abandoned areas returning to vegetation

Key Applications: Deforestation tracking, regeneration assessment, agricultural dynamics, conservation effectiveness

3. Deforestation and Regeneration ("mapbiomas_deforestation_regeneration")

Specific focus on forest cover changes: - Deforestation: Permanent loss of forest cover - Forest Regeneration: Secondary forest regrowth and natural recovery - Degradation Signals: Forest areas showing stress indicators - Cumulative Deforestation: Total forest loss since baseline

Key Applications: Amazon monitoring, conservation evaluation, regeneration potential, climate impact studies

4. Mining Activities ("mapbiomas_mining")

Areas used for mining operations: - Active Mining: Currently operational extraction sites - Abandoned Mining: Previous mining areas, potentially available for rehabilitation - Mining Extent: Total area impacted by mining activities - Mining Types: Surface mining, artisanal mining, infrastructure

Key Applications: Environmental impact assessment, land degradation, restoration planning, environmental compliance

5. Irrigation ("mapbiomas_irrigation")

Note: Temporarily unavailable - new collection coming soon

Previously included: - Irrigated Areas: Extent of irrigation in agricultural systems - Irrigation Type: Drip, center-pivot, flood irrigation - Crop Types Under Irrigation: Which crops receive irrigation

6. Water Bodies ("mapbiomas_water")

Note: Temporarily unavailable - new collection coming soon

Previously included: - Surface Water Extent: Permanent and seasonal water bodies - Water Type: Natural rivers/lakes vs. artificial reservoirs - Seasonal Variation: Dry vs. wet season water extent

7. Wildfire Burn Scars ("mapbiomas_fire")

Areas affected by wildfires: - Burn Scars: Areas burned in recent fires - Fire Extent: Total area impacted per year - Fire Frequency: Repeated burning in same areas (indicating high fire risk) - Fire Season: Temporal pattern of fires

Key Applications: Fire monitoring, ecosystem vulnerability, climate impacts, fire management

Function Parameters

Options:

  1. dataset: Seven possible choices (two temporarily unavailable)
    • "mapbiomas_cover": Land cover types
    • "mapbiomas_transition": Changes in land cover
    • "mapbiomas_deforestation_regeneration": Forest cover changes
    • "mapbiomas_mining": Mining areas
    • "mapbiomas_irrigation": Irrigated areas (temporarily unavailable)
    • "mapbiomas_water": Water bodies (temporarily unavailable)
    • "mapbiomas_fire": Wildfire burn scars
  2. raw_data:
    • TRUE: Data in original format from MapBiomas
    • FALSE: Cleaned and standardized version (recommended for analysis)
  3. geo_level: Varies by dataset
    • For "mapbiomas_cover": "municipality" or "indigenous_land"
    • For "mapbiomas_transition": "municipality" or "biome" (faster)
    • For "mapbiomas_deforestation_regeneration": "municipality" only
    • For "mapbiomas_mining": "indigenous_land" or "municipality"
    • For "mapbiomas_irrigation": "state" or "biome"
    • For "mapbiomas_water": "municipality", "state", or "biome"
    • For "mapbiomas_fire": "state" only
  4. language:
    • "pt": Portuguese language labels
    • "eng": English language

Measurement Units and Notes

Examples

# download treated MapBiomas land cover data by municipality
data <- load_mapbiomas(
  dataset = "mapbiomas_cover",
  raw_data = FALSE,
  geo_level = "municipality",
  language = "eng"
)

# download treated data on mining on indigenous lands
data <- load_mapbiomas(
  dataset = "mapbiomas_mining",
  raw_data = FALSE,
  geo_level = "indigenous_land",
  language = "eng"
)

# download treated wildfire burn scar data by state
data <- load_mapbiomas(
  dataset = "mapbiomas_fire",
  raw_data = FALSE,
  geo_level = "state",
  language = "eng"
)