Fire risk assessment, spatiotemporal clustering and hotspot analysis in the Luki biosphere reserve region, western DR Congo

This paper analyzes active fires from 2001 to 2019 in and around the Luki Biosphere Reserve, western DR Congo to assess fire risks. In this study, we used descriptive statistics to assess fire events, Getis-Ord G hotspot analysis to define the spatial patterns presented by the fire events. Diagnosti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trees, Forests and People (Online) Forests and People (Online), 2021-09, Vol.5, p.100104, Article 100104
Main Authors: Cizungu, Nadège Cirezi, Tshibasu, Elvis, Lutete, Eric, Mushagalusa, Ciza Arsène, Mugumaarhahama, Yannick, Ganza, Deckas, Karume, Katcho, Michel, Baudouin, Lumbuenamo, Raymond, Bogaert, Jan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Active fire
Clustering
Economics, Econometrics and Finance (miscellaneous)
Environmental sciences & ecology
Forestry
Life sciences
Luki biosphere reserve
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
MODIS
Sciences de l’environnement & écologie
Sciences du vivant
Spatiotemporal analysis
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Summary:This paper analyzes active fires from 2001 to 2019 in and around the Luki Biosphere Reserve, western DR Congo to assess fire risks. In this study, we used descriptive statistics to assess fire events, Getis-Ord G hotspot analysis to define the spatial patterns presented by the fire events. Diagnostics for spatiotemporal clustering of fires location and space-time interaction were assessed the spatiotemporal K function. MODIS data from 2001 to 2019 revealed 4602 fires events and 150,132 ha burned, corresponding to 42.6% of the study area. The results of this study show that the peak of fires was recorded in 2013 and fires are mostly recorded every year during the dry season from June to September. They occurred mostly between Noon and 01:00 PM local time. Fires that occurred in the region had low radiative power with the mean value of 23.5 Mega Watts. The Hotspot region where fires take place is located in the South-Eastern part of the studied area exhibiting a significant spatiotemporal clustering (p value = 0.012). Fires are mainly of 2 origins: annual savannah clearing and agriculture fires. The results of this research will help decision making with proactive preventive measures over time and space.
ISSN:2666-7193
2666-7193
DOI:10.1016/j.tfp.2021.100104