Diagnóstico dos incêndios e queimadas na APA Baía Negra, Pantanal-MS

Abstract

The Pantanal faces environmental challenges due to the increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, raising concerns about the impact on biodiversity, especially in the context of climate change. This study aimed to analyze the frequency of fires in the years 2012, 2019, 2020, and 2022 in the APA, proposing preventive measures for environmental management and contributing to the update of the Management Plan, including a Fire Protection Plan. Through geoprocessing, Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS image processing, and field observations, we identified and quantified fires in the APA between 2010 and 2023. The results indicated four years of fires (2012, 2019, 2020, and 2022), totaling 3,469.8 hectares affected, with an increasing incidence in the last five years (2019-2022). This increase correlated with the period in which the Paraguay River level remained below the historical average, highlighting a direct relationship between the intensification of fires and unfavorable environmental conditions. The dynamics of these events were attributed to a combination of factors such as exposed biomass, absence of flooding, prolonged drought, and facilitated access of people to the interior of the APA. These results emphasize the urgency of preventive measures to protect biodiversity and sustain local communities, underscoring the importance of effectively combating fires in preserving ecosystems in the face of climate challenges.