Probabilistic modelling of wildfire occurrence based on logistic regression, Niassa Reserve, Mozambique

Abstract

Fires are one of the main factors for disturbances in Niassa Reserve-Mozambique, with economic and environmental impacts. There are cyclical records of fire occurrences across the reserve. However, studies on the main causative factors and identification of more susceptible locations are very limited. In this perspective, this study had as objectives: (1) determine the main significant factors for wildfire occurrences; (2) Map the probability of wildfire occurrences, using logistic regression. Independent variables included vegetation index (NDVI), climatic, topographic and socioeconomic data. The analysis period was from 2001 to 2015 and comprised the months with more occurrences of wildfire (May to December). According to the results, the main factors that determine the occurrence of fires were: NDVI, temperature, elevation, followed by precipitation, slope, relative humidity and human settlements. The spatial distribution of probability of fire occurrence reveals that zones with high and very high risk are located at the west and central west zones (areas with higher accumulation of dry biomass); medium risk zones are located in the centre of the reserve, while in central east and east zones the probability of fire occurrence is low and very low risk. Results showed that the expectation of wildfire ignition using logistic regression presented good precision (area under the curve 74%).