Chir pine forest and pre-monsoon drought determine spatial, and temporal patterns of forest fires in Uttarakhand Himalaya

ABSTRACT: Associated with farming practices (between 300 and 2000 m elevations), human-ignited small, and patchy surface forest fires occur almost every year in Uttarakhand (between 28°43`– 31°27` N and 77°34`– 81°02`E; area 51,125 km2), a Himalayan state of India. Using fire incidence data of 19 years (2002–2020) generated by MODIS, we analysed the factors which drive temporal and spatial patterns of fire in the region. The fire incidence data were organized by 24 forest divisions, the unit of state forest management and administration. The standardized regression model showed that pre-monsoon temperature (March to May or mid-June), proportional area of the forest division under chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) forest (positive effect), and pre-monsoon and winter precipitation (negative effect) account

SUBMITTER: Singh R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10240464 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature