DESMATAMENTO, QUEIMADAS E SECAS EXTREMAS NO BIOMA CAATINGA, BRASIL

Abstract

Wildfires are intensified by various factors, including climatic events and deforestation. Deforestation significantly contributes to both the increase in wildfire occurrences and the incidence and spread of fire across the landscape, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions, increased temperatures, and biodiversity loss. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to analyze the influence of deforestation, climatic events, and the spatiotemporal dynamics of the Caatinga biome on wildfire spread, using data from platforms such as MapBiomas Brazil, INMET, and satellite imagery. This data revealed that the Caatinga biome, due to its water scarcity, vegetation composition, and climate, is naturally susceptible to wildfires, which are further exacerbated by excessive vegetation clearing. Additionally, the study demonstrated that extreme climatic events, such as El Niño, PDO, and AMO in positive phases, contribute to water scarcity, whereas La Niña and negative phases of these events cause excessive rainfall, both impacting soil fertility and biodiversity. Thus, the research confirmed the hypothesis that land-use changes and climatic events intensify wildfire occurrence and spread, highlighting the need for regulatory strategies and sustainable land use practices.