GEOTECHNOLOGIES APPLIED TO BURNED DYNAMICS IN THE FARINHA RIVER BASIN, MARANHENSE CERRADO, BRAZIL

Abstract

The burnt pose a severe global environmental and social threat. In Maranhão, especially in the Cerrado biome, the occurrence of fires has accelerated in recent years and this is due to both natural and anthropogenic factors. This study aims to analyze the occurrence and recurrence of burned areas over 37 years in the Farinha River Basin. The theoretical matrix is based on the analysis of environmental dynamics associated with land use and the spread of fire. The methodology used remote sensing, using QGIS, Google Earth Engine and Google Colab software. The data was obtained from platforms such as IBGE and MapBiomas and then statistically analyzed. The results revealed a high occurrence of fires, especially close to the riverbed and the BR-230 highway, especially between 2007 and 2017, when 1,909.19 km² were burned. Most areas recurred between 1 and 5 times (46.10%), while burnings between 12 and 23 times were rare (0.11%). After native vegetation, the class most affected was pasture, identified as one of the main factors associated with recurrence. It is concluded that a significant part of the fires in the basin are associated with anthropogenic actions, and that continuous monitoring and public policies aimed at preventing and controlling fire in environmentally sensitive areas are essential.