Integrated Watershed Management

Integrated Watershed Management

Investigation of the efficiency of remotely sensed indices in identifying and separating burned areas (Case study: Bivareh forest, Malekshahi county, Ilam Province)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Kobra Azizi 1
Abdolali Karamshahi 1
Reza Omidipour 2
1 Department of Forest Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran
2 Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran
10.22034/iwm.2024.2041551.1173
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction: A forest is a natural ecosystem in which its components are normally in balance. When forests are affected by one or more natural or artificial destructive factors, depending on the severity of these factors, the state of balance and self-regulation is weakened or disappears. Currently, the investigation and evaluation of changes and disturbances using satellite images has become one of the important sub-branches in natural resource sciences. Satellite imagery is a tool for monitoring and controlling various changes in forest and pasture ecosystems. Fire is among these changes and disturbances, especially prevalent in the forests of Zagros. Fire is considered one of the important factors affecting natural vegetation cover, which can either increase or decrease species diversity. There are several methods to detect changes in an area using satellite images, each with its advantages and limitations. One commonly used method for studying changes is the use of vegetation indices. Vegetation indices are one of the most important tools in remote sensing, widely used to monitor and evaluate changes in vegetation, especially in the periods after a fire, and to map burned areas in forests. The present research was conducted considering the importance of forests and the frequency of fires in the Zagros forests, especially in the forests of the Bivareh region, Malekshahi County. In this context, the use of satellite data allows for the extensive study of vegetation. Therefore, the current research aims to identify and separate burnt areas to apply appropriate management practices after the fire, thereby aiding the recovery of vegetation cover using remote sensing images.
Materials and Methods: In this research, first, satellite images from fire-affected years were obtained from the USGS website. Subsequently, 20 important indicators related to fire detection were generated using TerrSet 19 software. ArcGIS 10.3 software was then used to prepare maps, analyze data, and provide outputs. In addition, the Student's T-test was used to compare the spectral indices' values in burnt and control areas. Finally, by calculating the statistical parameter ‘M’, the strength and ability of each of the spectral indices in separating and distinguishing burned areas from adjacent areas was determined.
Results and Discussion: The results of the mean comparison of spectral indices' values in burnt and control areas showed a significant difference (P-value < 0.05) in the separability power of the examined indices between burned and control regions. Based on the results, using VI56 and CSI fire indices is recommended as the best indices for separating burnt and control areas for fires occurring within 1–3 years, due to their high efficiency and strong ability to differentiate burnt and control areas. Additionally, to identify and separate burned areas from older fires (3 to 5 years), the use of VI56, CSI, and MSAVI indices is suggested. For fires older than 5 to 7 years, the VI56 and CSI indices provide acceptable results.
Conclusion: By comparing the differences in fire indices before and after fire occurrence, it can be concluded that the CSI index indicates the highest difference between pre- and post-fire conditions. This index demonstrates superior performance compared to other indices and is recommended for its effectiveness in identifying areas affected by fire, investigating the spectral behavior pattern, and monitoring vegetation restoration in burned areas of Zagros forests. Based on the results, it is evident that such research plays an important role in examining and evaluating the sensitivity of forest areas to disturbances and in formulating effective fire management strategies.
Keywords
Spectral indices
Remote sensing
Fire
Vegetation

Subjects

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Integrated Watershed Management
Volume 5, Issue 1 - Serial Number 15
Spring 2025
Pages 129-146

  • Receive Date 20 September 2024
  • Revise Date 11 November 2024
  • Accept Date 18 December 2024