An alternative approach for detecting and monitoring selectively logged forests in the Amazon

A methodology is presented for estimating the area affected by selective lo gging in Amazonia's terra firme forests. Areas of land cleared for temporar ily storing logs in the forest (log landings) were detected within soil fra ction images derived from linear mixture models of forested areas. Based on field data, a 180 m timber extraction radius was assumed for all log landi ngs. The extraction area calculated for detected log landings provides an e stimate of the area potentially affected by logging. The resultant image cl assifications revealed excellent agreement with field data. This methodolog y can be a powerful tool for the monitoring and control of logging in the A mazon.