Forest fire risk mapping using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and earth observation datasets: a case study in the mountainous terrain of Northeast India

Ridalin Lamat,Mukesh Kumar,Deepak Lal,Arnab Kundu

doi:10.1007/s42452-021-04391-0

Ridalin Lamat, Mukesh Kumar + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04391-0

Copy DOI

Abstract

This study presents a geospatial approach in conjunction with a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool for mapping forest fire risk zones in the district of Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, India which is very rich in biodiversity. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP)-based pair-wise comparison matrix was constructed to compare the selected parameters against each other based on their impact/influence (equal, moderate, strong, very strong, and extremely strong) on a forest fire. The final output delineated fire risk zones in the study area in four categories that include very high-risk, high-risk, moderate-risk, and low-risk zones. The delineated fire risk zones were found to be in close agreement with actual fire points obtained from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) fire data for the study area. Results indicated that Ri-Bhoi’s 804.31 sq. km. (32.86%) the area was under ‘very high’ fire susceptibility. This was followed by 583.10 sq. km. (23.82%), 670.47 sq. km. (27.39%), and 390.12 sq. km. (15.93%) the area under high, moderate, and low fire risk categories, respectively. These results can be used effectively to plan fire control measures in advance and the methodology suggested in this study can be adopted in other areas too for delineating potential fire risk zones.

Highlights

Natural conservation areas that play an important role in maintaining the environmental balance are found in developing tropical regions forests [1,2,3]
The parameters used for the forest fire risk zone mapping are population density, elevation, slope, aspect, temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and land use/ land cover (LULC) which has been derived from the earth observation satellite and ancillary data
Forest fire in northeast India is mainly caused by shifting cultivation, i.e., slash and burn agriculture

Summary

Introduction

Natural conservation areas that play an important role in maintaining the environmental balance are found in developing tropical regions forests [1,2,3]. Forest fires can be caused naturally (e.g., lighting) and/or induced via human activities, in India the latter is dominant. About 90% of the forest fires in India are caused by humans [15]. Despite the fact that forest fires are mostly regulated by anthropogenic factors, local environment, metrological condition, and topography factors play an important role in their uncontrolled expansion. In this regard, it is very important to identify vulnerable areas that come under “forest fire risk zones.”.

Methods

Results

Conclusion