The Amazon forest plays an invaluable role in the global carbon cycle by storing and processing carbon from the atmosphere. However, both those environmental services are threatened by ongoing deforestation and forest degradation. Here we present one of the first simulated studies using the MRV REDD+ (measuring, reporting and verifying reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation) approach, in which we report the balance of above ground carbon density over the landscape due to degradation and deforestation. We used repeated airborne lidar (light detection and ranging) surveys over 1079 ha near the Tapajós National Forest region, Eastern Amazon, Brazil, between 2013 and 2016. We reported carbon losses from severe understory fires, as well as losses due to deforestation of secondary and previous degraded forests. We also reported gains from regrowth of secondary forests. The results showed a huge amount of carbon lost due to fires resulted from 2015 El Niño drought. In addition, the deforestation of secondary forests played a significant role on the emissions balance over the landscape. Airborne Lidar is a powerful approach for quantifying the balance of carbon over the landscape within the scope of REDD+, as long as its associated uncertainty.