Pressures on La Lindosa, Guaviare: Land-Cover Change and Incidence of Fires Between 2012 and 2018
MONROY, Diana et al. Pressures on La Lindosa, Guaviare: Land-Cover Change and Incidence of Fires Between 2012 and 2018. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2019, vol.24, n.2, pp.372-378. ISSN 0120-548X. https://doi.org/10.15446/abc.v24n2.72435.
The change in land use and fire as a mechanism used for this change, have created ecological disturbances at large scales, such as the fragmentation and isolation of essential ecosystems within tropical landscapes. In the present study, we analyze the land-use changes along 2012-2016 and fire events between 2016-2018, to identify the dynamics of spatial-temporal change in the Serranía La Lindosa, Guaviare using official information and remote sensors. Forest cover was reduced by 17 %, during 2012-2016, corresponding to an increase in secondary vegetation and pastures in the area. The fire-hotspots detected were concentrated on the northwest and southeast of the mountain range, coinciding with areas of primary forest and consolidated pasture areas. These results show that there is an active process of deforestation in La Lindosa, leaving a fragmented matrix and isolated forest patches, which would have repercussions on the local biodiversity. Besides, the synergy between this process and the use of fire, represent a constant threat, at different scales, on the different ecosystems. This information is presented as a resource to elaborate punctual strategies in order to avoid greater negative repercussions on the mountain range area, which is currently in a vulnerable state.
Keywords : Burned area; fire regime; land use; spatial patterns.