Leicester researcher examines differing factors behind forest fires

Leicester researcher examines differing factors behind forest fires

Weekly fire maps of Madagascar in January, April, July and October from the NASA FIRMS website.

A study of forest fires in the tropics has led a University of Leicester researcher to highlight the need to monitor ecosystems in more detail to try and prevent their destruction.

Shrijana Poudel, a postgraduate researcher in the School of Physics and Astronomy and at the National Centre for Earth Observation at Space Park Leicester, has spent time studying satellite data of forest fires in Madagascar. Her use of advanced methodologies has allowed her to detect and analyse the changes of vegetation in areas hit by blazes.

Her findings have indicated forest vegetation can be affected by fire in different ways, depending on the size of the fire, geographical and temporal factors. For instance, a fire across a large area of forest during the typical fire season might affect vegetation in a different manner than a more modest out-of-season blaze. An area which is more prone to forest fires compared to one where occurrences are rarer, might also see vegetation respond in a different way.

Shrijana's analysis has led her to recommend further detailed studies of forest fires, to allow authorities to develop more targeted fire management strategies and further investigation into the underlying causes driving this pattern.

It comes as a delegation of academics from the University of Leicester travels to COP29, the world's most important climate and sustainability event, in Baku, Azerbaijan to bring their expertise in climate, sustainability and environmental issues to decisionmakers.

Shrijana said: "Global fires significantly impact vegetation, the carbon cycle, and long-term climate. Fires, driven by human activities and natural factors, can degrade forest ecosystems, potentially transitioning them into grasslands, and adversely affecting biodiversity, carbon sinks, and ecosystem services. Monitoring these forest ecosystems is crucial to mitigate future long-term consequences that could potentially lead to irreversible changes or 'tipping points'."

The next phase of research involves analysing the vegetation response in areas with high anomaly scores using satellite observations of vegetation. Land cover data and location-specific variables that could influence fire pattern will additionally be used to understand the underlying burning patterns. The study will also be extended to other tropical regions to assess the impacts of fire in different ecosystems.

• More information on COP29 and the University of Leicester