--- title: "DETER" output: rmarkdown::html_vignette vignette: > %\VignetteIndexEntry{DETER} %\VignetteEngine{knitr::rmarkdown} %\VignetteEncoding{UTF-8} --- ```{r, include = FALSE} knitr::opts_chunk$set( collapse = TRUE, comment = "#>" ) ``` ## Overview [DETER](http://www.obt.inpe.br/OBT/assuntos/programas/amazonia/deter/deter) (Real-Time Detection System) is a satellite-based monitoring system operated by [INPE](https://www.inpe.br/) (National Institute of Space Research) that detects and reports changes in forest cover with near real-time frequency. This system provides: - **Forest cover change detection**: Identifies deforestation and forest degradation events - **Near real-time monitoring**: Updates frequently (typically daily or weekly) - **Spatial precision**: Geolocated detection of disturbances with geographic coordinates - **Biome coverage**: Monitors Legal Amazon and Cerrado biome regions - **Event-based data**: Each detection is a separate record with location and date - **Historical records**: Accumulated database of past detection events DETER is the primary early-warning system for deforestation in the Amazon, used by Brazilian environmental agencies for enforcement, research institutions for analysis, and internationally for monitoring compliance with forest conservation goals. ### Data Source and Methodology DETER monitoring: - Uses satellite imagery from multiple sources (MODIS, Landsat, Sentinel) - Automated and manual analysis to detect recent disturbances - Generates "alerts" - polyons representing areas of detected change - Updates available regularly (frequency varies by satellite availability) - Operated by INPE's Remote Sensing Division For technical details, visit [INPE DETER System](http://www.obt.inpe.br/OBT/assuntos/programas/amazonia/deter/deter). *** ## Available Datasets ### **1. deter_amz (DETER Amazon)** DETER monitoring data for the Legal Amazon biome. - **Geographic coverage**: Legal Amazon region (approximately 5 million km²) - **Biome**: Tropical forest - **Time period**: Historical data spanning multiple years with continuing updates - **Spatial unit**: Polyons/spatial geometries with municipality identification - **Variables**: Detection date, deforestation/degradation type, area, municipality, state - **Update frequency**: Regular updates (typically daily or weekly) - **Use cases**: - Monitor recent deforestation hotspots - Analyze deforestation trends in specific regions - Track enforcement impact on forest cover - Early-warning system for forest loss - Academic research on deforestation drivers ### **2. deter_cerrado (DETER Cerrado)** DETER monitoring data for the Cerrado biome. - **Geographic coverage**: Cerrado region (Brazilian tropical savanna) - **Biome**: Tropical savanna/grassland - **Time period**: Historical data with continuing updates - **Spatial unit**: Polygons/spatial geometries with municipality identification - **Variables**: Detection date, vegetation loss type, area, municipality, state - **Update frequency**: Regular updates - **Use cases**: - Monitor Cerrado vegetation loss (increasingly threatened biome) - Analyze agricultural expansion in Cerrado region - Compare forest and savanna degradation patterns - Track conservation effectiveness *** ## Important Data Characteristics ### Raw Data Structure The raw DETER data from INPE reports one alert/detection per row, with each row typically associated with a single municipality in the raw data. However, **many alerts actually overlap multiple municipalities** (typically 2-4 municipalities) that are not all shown in the original records. ### Data Processing This package provides an important enhancement: **spatial intersection with IBGE municipality geometries** (2019 version) to identify ALL municipalities that each DETER alert overlaps with. This creates a more complete and accurate geographic picture than the original raw data. **Important note on CRS metadata**: The CRS (Coordinate Reference System) information may need verification after loading, as coordinate system metadata can sometimes be unclear in the original INPE data. *** ## Function Parameters ### 1. **dataset** Selects which biome's DETER data to download. ```r dataset = "deter_amz" # Legal Amazon monitoring dataset = "deter_cerrado" # Cerrado biome monitoring ``` ### 2. **raw_data** Controls whether to download the original data or the processed/enhanced version. - `TRUE`: Returns raw INPE data with limited municipality information - `FALSE`: Returns treated data with spatial intersection to identify all affected municipalities, standardized English variable names ```r raw_data = FALSE # logical ``` **Recommendation**: Use `raw_data = FALSE` to get the enhanced municipality identification from spatial intersection. ### 3. **language** Output language for variable names and documentation. - `"pt"`: Portuguese - `"eng"`: English ```r language = "eng" # character string ``` *** ## Examples ```{r eval=FALSE} # download treated DETER Amazon data deter_amz <- load_deter( dataset = "deter_amz", raw_data = FALSE, language = "eng" ) # download treated DETER Cerrado data deter_cerrado <- load_deter( dataset = "deter_cerrado", raw_data = FALSE, language = "eng" ) ``` ## Data Notes ### Raw Data Limitations - **Original INPE data**: Shows one alert per municipality, even when alerts overlap multiple municipalities - **Enhanced version**: Spatial intersection with IBGE 2019 municipality boundaries identifies all affected municipalities - **Advantage of treated data**: More complete geographic picture of deforestation extent ### Data Structure Each alert/row typically contains: - **Spatial geometry**: Polygon coordinates (SF object) - **Detection date**: When the alert was issued - **Alert type**: Deforestation, forest degradation, or other disturbance - **Area**: Size of detected change in hectares - **Municipality**: Geographic unit identification - **State**: Brazilian state - **Metadata**: Satellite source, confidence level (varies by product) ### Important Considerations 1. **Alert types vary**: "Deforestation" is permanent forest loss; "degradation" is forest damage but not clear-cut 2. **Near real-time data**: Alerts are issued frequently; data is continuously updated 3. **Minimum detection size**: Varies by sensor; typically 25 hectares for Amazon, larger for Cerrado 4. **CRS metadata**: Verify coordinate system after loading; typically UTM zones for Brazil 5. **Overlapping municipalities**: Enhanced version accounts for alerts crossing municipality boundaries 6. **False positives possible**: Satellite detection can occasionally misclassify cloud shadows or other features as forest loss ***