Understanding 34 Years of Forest Cover Dynamics across the Paraguayan Chaco: Characterizing Annual Changes and Forest Fragmentation Levels between 1987 and 2020

Over the past 40 years, Paraguay has lost majority of its natural forest cover, thus becoming one countries with highest deforestation rates in world. The rapid expansion agricultural frontier, cattle ranching, and illegal logging between 1987 2012 resulted loss 27% original equivalent to almost 44,000 km2. Within this context, present research provides first yearly analysis cover change Paraguayan Chaco years 2020. Remote sensing data obtained from Landsat images were applied derive annual masks over 34 years. Part study is a comprehensive assessment effectiveness protected areas, as well an degree fragmentation forest. All classification results accuracies above 80% revealed total approximately 64,700 Forest clearing within areas was not frequent; however, some reserves presented losses up 25% their cover. Through consideration several landscape metrics, reveals onward which endangers habitat numerous species.