Understanding local connectivity and complexity in the skeleton of deforestation

Urgilez-Clavijo, Andrea ; Rivas-Tabares, David Andrés ; Gobin, Anne ; Tarquis Alfonso, Ana María ; Riva Fernández, Juan de la (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Current spatial analyses of deforestation predominantly focus on quantification, often overlooking the geometric and topological configurations that are essential for formulating spatially concrete remedial actions. Skeletons and local connected fractal dimension (LCFD) are established techniques that have been used to summarise geometric features and capture connectivity patterns. The present study analysed deforested areas in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve at three time points from 1990 to 2018. The skeleton captured 62%, 44%, and 40% of the original deforested patches, respectively, and the complexity of connectivity patterns increased over time. A spatially explicit characterisation of the deforested patches was conducted by combining the LCFD and topological descriptors, which enabled the definition of five prioritisation levels for informed decision-making. In addition, we observed an increase in the complexity of pixel neighbourhood relationships over time. In conclusion, the spatial characterisation of the deforestation skeleton serves to further understand the dynamics of deforestation expansion from the local to the regional scale by highlighting complex connections that are significant for forest protection and mitigation efforts.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-02932-w

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Scientific reports (Nature Publishing Group) 15, 1 (2025), 18192 [13 pp.]
ISSN: 2045-2322

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S51-23R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MCIU/PGC2018-093854-B-I00

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Análisis Geográfico Regi. (Dpto. Geograf. Ordenac.Territ.)