Spatial and Temporal Distribution Patterns of Thermal Anomalies in the Cerrado Biome
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Abstract
Considered one of the 34 world biodiversity hotspots, due to both its peculiar endemism and rapid land conversion
(39,5% of human-induced conversions), the Cerrado biome is also characterized by a pronounced occurrence of vegetation
fires (it is estimated that about 40% of the hotspots detected in the country take place in the Cerrado). Thus, in this study
we assessed the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of thermal anomalies in relation to the major land cover
classes and on going deforestations. Specifically, we relied on MODIS based hotspot data generated by the University
of Maryland, USA, for the period between May 04, 2008 and May 05, 2009, which were analyzed according to the
municipality and watershed (Otto basin system, level 6) limits. The majority of the 32,001 hotspots detected concentrated
in the center-north portion of the biome, particularly in the Tocantins-Araguaia (Tocantins State) and São Francisco (Bahia State) basins, affecting mostly the remnant vegetation (75,6%, predominantly the savanna formations), the
cultivated pastures (13,2%), and the agriculture areas (11%). Our results show a clear dependence between fire and land
cover types and a close association between these potential fire occurrences and the new clearings taking place.
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