Mohebalian et al. 2022 FAO_WFC

Project information

This project investigates the impact of Forest Protected Area (FPA) designations on deforestation in the South American Atlantic Forest region, which spans Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Leveraging remote-sensed forest cover data from 2000 to 2020 and geo-referenced socio-economic variables, the analysis applies a pseudo-randomized design to evaluate how FPA status influences forest loss. Results indicate that FPA designation reduced the odds of deforestation by approximately 14%, with protected areas exhibiting significantly lower deforestation rates (~5%) compared to non-protected forests (~19%). This effect size surpasses previous estimates from other Latin American regions, underscoring the critical role of conservation policy in this biodiversity hotspot. The project provides a reproducible framework for assessing FPA effectiveness and sets the stage for future research on the socio-economic impacts of forest conservation.