  Spatial-temporal dynamics of aboveground biomass (AGB) and forest area affect
the carbon cycle, climate, and biodiversity in the Brazilian Amazon. Here we
investigate inter-annual changes of AGB and forest area by analyzing
satellite-based annual AGB and forest area datasets. We found the gross forest
area loss was larger in 2019 than in 2015, possibly due to recent loosening of
forest protection policies. However, net AGB loss was three times smaller in
2019 than in 2015. During 2010-2019, the Brazilian Amazon had a cumulative
gross loss of 4.45 Pg C against a gross gain of 3.78 Pg C, resulting in net AGB
loss of 0.67 Pg C. Forest degradation (73%) contributed three times more to the
gross AGB loss than deforestation (27%), given that the areal extent of
degradation exceeds deforestation. This indicates that forest degradation has
become the largest process driving carbon loss and should become a higher
policy priority.
