Degradation of ecosystems: Characterization, assessing, and indicators

Natural and anthropogenic disturbances in ecosystems have intensified in recent decades in Brazil, causing different levels of degradation. Anthropic activities are the main vectors of disturbances, especially wildfires, landscape fragmentation, and selective logging. Additionally, the effects of climate changes are compounded with anthropogenic disorders, leading to the increase and intensity of degradation of Brazilian ecosystems, catalyzing disturbances such as increased desertification and fewer ecosystem services. Studies have reported that areas of some natural ecosystems, affected by one or more type of degradation, have already surpassed the area of natural vegetation converted into agriculture or pastures. Despite of being a phenomenon of great relevance, there are remaining scientific gaps on the understanding the state of degradation of Brazilian ecosystems. Remote sensing has been used to detect those disturbances, producing information to understand ecosystem degradation processes by providing data and indicators used to characterize those degradation processes. Based on it, thresholds of rupture of the natural state of ecosystems will be defined for a new ecosystem condition. The information provided by remote sensing regarding the state of ecosystems will support the definition of public policies for the mitigation, adaptation, and recovery of degraded ecosystems