Application of environmental geotechnologies to determine heat spots in the state conservation units of Maranhão from 2010 to 2019

Abstract

Fires consist of practices arising from agrosilvopastoral activities that are constantly used in Brazil and cause various environmental impacts, such as soil impoverishment, susceptibility to erosion and desertification, damage to biological dynamics, increased risk of extinction of endemic species and, consequently, ecological imbalance of natural resources. The knowledge of the origin of incorrect practices of forest resources is of extreme importance to the creation of fire prevention and combat plans, since the preservation of the environment becomes essential to the quality of life. In view of this, this study aimed to analyze the occurrence of hotspots in 12 Conservation Units of Maranhão in the spatial temporality from 2010 to 2019 (10 years). The methodology was based on data collection from fires provided by INPE (National Institute for Space Research) and on the use of geoprocessing and GIS (Geographic Information System) tools for the elaboration of maps. Through the research, in the analyzed period, it was noticed that the three Conservation Units most affected by hotspots are: Upaon-Açú/ Miritiba/ Alto Preguiças APA, Mirador State Park and Baixada Maranhense APA, which have 7,532, 6,716 and 6,309, respectively. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly monitor forest fires in each type of vegetation in the country, especially in Conservation Units, due to their intrinsic characteristics, for the creation of effective public policies for prevention and better performance of fire control, ensuring safety to the environment and the health of the population.