Forest structure and fragmentation dynamics in cacao-producing landscapes of Amazonas, Peru, revealed by multi-temporal land-use change and spaceborne LiDAR

Abstract

The ongoing loss and degradation of tropical forests poses a significant threat to biodiversity, carbon storage, and ecosystem services throughout the Amazon Basin. Agroforestry systems such as cacao cultivation can help balance production and conservation, yet integrated analyses combining spatial and structural forest data remain limited. This study integrates multi-temporal land-use/land-cover (LULC) data, fragmentation metrics, and canopy indicators from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) mission to assess forest transformation across two contrasting cacao-producing landscapes in the Amazonas region of Peru. LULC dynamics (1985–2020) were derived from the 30m Global Land Cover Change Dataset (GLC_FCS30D), with 2020 used as a baseline consistent with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The 2020 forest/non-forest map was compared with the 10m Global Forest Cover 2020 product to quantify fragmentation across multiple grid sizes. GEDI L2A and L2B data provided structural metrics, including relative height (RH25–RH98), plant area index (PAI), foliage height diversity (FHD), and canopy cover, which were linked to fragmentation indicators. In the indigenous territories of Condorcanqui, cacao landscapes maintained stable forest cover, while rural areas in Bagua and Utcubamba showed greater forest loss and landscape modification. Fine-scale (10m) data revealed localised zones of conservation and degradation, particularly in lowland cacao areas. Taller, more structurally complex canopies were associated with less fragmented forests, whereas shorter and more heterogeneous structures reflected long-term disturbance. Integrating spaceborne LiDAR with multi-scale fragmentation metrics provides robust indicators of forest integrity, supporting sustainable cacao agroforestry management and conservation plannin.