Forest fire as a threat for biodiversity and urban pollution

Abstract

Forest fire has contributed to ecosystem and environmental degradation. Every year forest fire occurs in Indonesia and causes great impacts on ecological, economic and social condition. A study of fire impacts assessment on vegetation biodiversity and air pollution was conducted in Tesso Nilo National Park (TNNP), Riau Province, Sumatera, Indonesia. This paper aimed to describe fire severities and fire impacts on species diversity and pollutant in urban areas surrounding the study location. Vegetation analyses and diversity analyses were conducted in the burned as well the unburned areas to calculate Important Value Index and Diversity Index. Fire severities were determined using vegetation condition approach. Pollutant data and public activity impacts were obtained from local government. Forest fire occurred in TNNP in July 2015 is classified as high fire severity. Species Diversity Index of burned area (0.96) is classified as 'Not good" lower than that of in unburned area (3.05) which is classified as "Good". The forest fire may decrease commercial tree species from 28 to 3 species including: Macaranga pruinosa, Diaphania costata and Shorea macroptera. Air Pollution Index in urban area surrounding study location seems to be in unhealthy even in dangerous level which cause great impacts to public activities.