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

Bibliographic Data

ID19586457
AuthorsNadège Cirezi Cizungu (University of Kinshasa, corresponding author), Elvis Tshibasu, Eric Lutete (University of Kinshasa), Ciza Arsène Mushagalusa (0000-0003-2483-116X, Université Evangélique en Afrique), Yannick Mugumaarhahama (0000-0002-4690-502X, Université Evangélique en Afrique), Deckas Ganza (University of Kinshasa), Katcho Karume (University of Kinshasa), Baudouin Michel (University of Kinshasa), Raymond Lumbuenamo (University of Kinshasa), Jan Bogaert (0000-0003-4465-6442, University of Liège)
Year2021
Volume5
Pages100104
Publication date2021-09-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTrees Forests and People (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2666-7193 • E-ISSN: 2666-7193
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.tfp.2021.100104
OpenAlexW3164939130
LanguageEN
References cited22

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

Biology · Biosphere · Geography · Disaster Management and Resilience · Fire effects on ecosystems · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Ecology · Geology

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