Abstract
Wildfires drive deforestation that causes various losses. Although many studies have used spatial approaches, a multi-dimensional analysis is required to determine priority areas for mitigation. This study identified priority areas for wildfire mitigation in Indonesia using a multi-dimensional approach including disaster, environmental, historical, and administrative parameters by integrating 20 types of multi-source spatial data. Spatial data were combined to produce susceptibility, carbon stock, and carbon emission models that form the basis for prioritization modelling. The developed priority model was compared with historical deforestation data. Legal aspects were evaluated for oil-palm plantations and mining with respect to their impact on wildfire mitigation. Results showed that 379,516 km2 of forests in Indonesia belong to the high-priority category and most of these are located in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and North Maluku. Historical data suggest that 19.50% of priority areas for wildfire mitigation have experienced deforestation caused by wildfires over the last ten years. Based on legal aspects of land use, 5.2% and 3.9% of high-priority areas for wildfire mitigation are in oil palm and mining areas, respectively. These results can be used to support the determination of high-priority areas for the REDD+ program and the evaluation of land use policies.
Highlights
IntroductionForests can reduce air temperature, produce oxygen, store carbon dioxide, provide clean water supply, and prevent several natural disasters such as landslides and floods [1]
Forests play an essential role in maintaining a balance in the ecosystem
A comprehensive analysis of wildfires in Indonesia was carried out based on five aspects, including wildfire susceptibility, carbon stocks, carbon emissions, historical patterns of wildfire, and legal aspects of land use
Summary
Forests can reduce air temperature, produce oxygen, store carbon dioxide, provide clean water supply, and prevent several natural disasters such as landslides and floods [1]. Vegetation in forests can reduce the accumulation of carbon in the atmosphere through photosynthesis, as it absorbs CO2 , breaks it down, and stores it in the form of biomass [2]. Recent data from Global Forest Watch (GFW) show that Indonesia lost 94,800 km of primary forests from 2002 to 2019 [5]. This figure is equivalent to 36% of Indonesia’s forest cover lost concurrently during that period [6]
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