Comparison of forest burned areas in mainland China derived from MCD45A1 and data recorded in yearbooks from 2001 to 2011

Abstract

Forest burning, which emits large amounts of trace gases and particulate matter into the atmosphere, produces great impacts on air quality and climate change. In this study, the MODIS (Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) burned area product (MCD45A1) and GlobCover land-cover product were integrated to estimate the forest burned areas in mainland China from 2001 to 2011. The results were compared with the official data from China Forestry Yearbooks and China Forestry Statistical Yearbooks. On the national scale, the MCD45A1 data were comparable with the official data. However, great gaps exist between the MCD45A1-derived provincial and regional forest burned areas and the corresponding values from the Forestry Statistical Yearbooks. In particular, the MCD45A1-derived areas were higher than the Forestry Statistical Yearbooks in north-east China and significantly lower in south-west China. Moreover, it was indicated that the MCD45A1 algorithm was unsuitable for retrieving the burned areas of small forest fires. Nevertheless, the MCD45A1 exhibited excellent performance in retrieving seasonal patterns of forest fire, with high fire occurrence in spring and autumn. On balance, more studies are required to assess and improve the MCD45A1 product and more precise data on forest burned areas in China are urgently needed.