Investigating the Impact of Wildfires on Surface Albedo in Africa Using MODIS Data

Abstract

Wildfires can have significant impacts on the Earth's surface albedo, with effects that can be long-lasting. In Africa, the frequency and severity of wildfires are changing due to a combination of factors including drought, land use change, and human activity. However, the impact of wildfires on surface albedo in Africa is not well understood and previous research has produced conflicting results.In this study, we are using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data to investigate the potential changes in surface albedo following wildfires in Africa. Our preliminary results suggest that wildfires may have a complex and variable impact on albedo, with some regions potentially experiencing a decrease in albedo and others an increase or no significant change following a wildfire.We are also exploring the use of different approaches to analyse the MODIS data to better understand how the choice of method may impact the results and looking how the effect varies for different land cover types. In addition, we are using Fire Radiative Power data from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) to examine the role of fire intensity in driving albedo changes.This research aims to provide new insights into the impact of wildfires on surface albedo in Africa, the underlying mechanisms driving these changes and how different analysis methods affect the conclusions. These results may have important implications for land management strategies in the region, and for understanding the impact of wildfires on local climate and ecosystem processes.