Abstract
MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) hotspot and precipitation data for the most recent 11-year period (2002 to 2012) were analyzed to elucidate recent trends in the seasonal and spatial fire occurrence in Sumatra and the relationship with precipitation. Using a latitude line of S 0.5°, Sumatra was divided into two regions, N. (north) and S. (south) Sumatra. Different trends in seasonal fire occurrence were discussed and further defined by considering two different precipitation patterns. Analysis of hotspot (fire) data was carried out using 0.5° × 0.5° grid cells to evaluate recent trends of spatial fire occurrence. Analysis results of hotspot and precipitation data were also tallied every 10-day to find the relationship between seasonal fire occurrence and the dry season. Standard deviation (SD) and variance (V) were then used to evaluate fire occurrences in Sumatra and Kalimantan objectively. The relatively mild fire occurrence tendency in Sumatra compared to Kalimantan could be the result of different stages of forest development or the high deforestation rate in Sumatra compared with Kalimantan. This paper also shows that the two different seasonal fire activities in N. and S. Sumatra were closely related to the two different dry season types: a winter and summer dry season type (WD & SD) in N. Sumatra, and a summer dry season type (SD) in S. Sumatra. Extreme fire occurrences in the Dumai region in 2005 and Palembang region in 2006 could be partially explained by a severe drought occurrence enhanced by two different kinds of El Nino events.
Highlights
During 1997 and 1998, areas of forest measured approximately 45,000 km2 were destroyed by extreme fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, releasing more than 2.6 gigatonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere (Tacconi, 2003), and causing a transboundary haze event in South East Asia
It is notable that the frequent fire occurrence in Sumatra coincides with the rapid rate of deforestation occurring over the past 10-years (2000-2012), which has been at a rate of about 23.7%/(10-yr) for all forests and 5.2%/(yr) for peat swamp forest (Miettinen et al, 2011a)
The difference in the fire peak in September of about one month in Figure 7 and the low of precipitation in August in Figure 2(c) can be estimated using the author’s previous research related to Kalimantan, where we found there was a time lag of approximately one month between precipitation and a rising ground water level (Putra & Hayasaka, 2011)
Summary
During 1997 and 1998, areas of forest measured approximately 45,000 km were destroyed by extreme fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, releasing more than 2.6 gigatonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere (Tacconi, 2003), and causing a transboundary haze event in South East Asia. An estimate of the size of the area burned in East Kalimantan alone, between January and April 1998, was 52,000 km (Siegert et al 2001). In addition to this vast amount of damage, the fires caused serious health and economic problems within the region (Dennis, 1999). It is evident that most fires are related to agriculture activity, and this is consistent with Sumatra being home to the largest industrial plantations in Indonesia (15,280 km2 Joosten et al, 2012), as well as the most prolific cultivation of palm oil (10,467 km2, Miettinen et al, 2012)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
