Abstract:
Protected natural areas are important reserves for biodiversity, and in the tropics, often play a role in deterring deforestation. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of a protected-area with a
two-tiered management regime in Bolivia, Amboró National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area (IMNA), in deterring clearance of forest. Four satellite images from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) from 1986-2006 were
used to measure land-cover changes within the park, the upland (>1000 meters) and lowland(<1000 meters) IMNA, and a five-kilometer buffer around the protected area's boundary. While
area within the park experienced very little deforestation (-0.05%/year) from 1986-2001, the lowland IMNA experienced a much higher rate of deforestation (-1.05%/year) from 1986-2006,
which was slightly lower than the rate in unprotected buffer. Other lowland non-protected regions surrounding the park experienced high rates of deforestation as well. Topography and the lack of roads within the National Park seem to be the reason for the heretofore successful protection of the park itself, but there is some evidence that the boundary does act to deter forest clearance. The results are discussed in relation to similar protected-areas throughout Latin America. Additional analysis and discussion focuses on areas of concern for Amboró, as well as
other measures of protected-area effectiveness. Finally, this study poses fundamental questions about the impact of protected areas in areas with a significant human presence, such as Amboró.
