Statistical analysis and feedback exploration of land use change determinants at local scale in the Brazilian Amazon

This work focus on two municipalities established first as rural settlements in Rondonia State in 1982. These two municipalities consist on a unique land use change study due to the differences in settlements planning, but also because they are part of recent frontiers of deforestation. The main land use patterns in the study area are mainly related to small farmers. However, medium and big farms, mineral extraction and timber exploration are also expressive. To understand the land use and land change processes, we have investigated and connected these different patterns to their possible causes and driving forces. This was realized by the use of statistical analysis and spatial-temporal modeling. The simulation was useful as learning tool to explore previous feedbacks of deforestation observed during fieldwork campaigns in the area.