Monitoramento dos focos de incêndio e precipitação no Pantanal brasileiro: uma análise espaço-temporal de 2019 a 2024

Abstract

The Pantanal biome is one of the largest continuous wetland areas on the planet, spanning regions of the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, as well as parts of Bolivia and Paraguay. Influenced by the Amazon, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, and Chaco biomes, the Pantanal hosts a rich biodiversity of fauna and flora. In this ecosystem, fire plays a significant role, mainly due to the use of burning for pasture Clearing, a practice linked to cattle ranching, a key economic activity in the region. However, between 2019 and 2020, there was a nearly 13-fold increase in the burned area compared to 2018, intensifying debates on the preservation of the biome. Fires have become more frequent and intense, threatening native species, compromising the quality of life of local populations, and generating both regional and national economic impacts. In this context, the present study aimed to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of fire hotspots in the Pantanal between 2019 and 2024, using a qualitative and quantitative approach. Areas with the highest concentration of fires and recurrence patterns were mapped, focusing on 11 phytogeographic sub-regions: Paiaguás/MS, Nhecolândia/MS, Barão de Melgaço/MT, Poconé/MT, Nabileque/MS, Cáceres/MT, Paraguai/MT/MS, Aquidauana/MS, Miranda/MS, Porto Murtinho/MS, and Abobral/MS. The results showed that the municipalities of Miranda, Poconé, and Barão de Melgaço ranked highest in fire density, while Corumbá, despite having the highest absolute number, had a lower proportional index due to its large territorial area. The year 2020 was the most critical, with approximately 4.1 million hectares burned. In 2021 and 2022, a decrease in fire occurrences was observed, followed by a new increase in 2023, although with lower spatial density. In 2024, the data indicated a reappearance of high-density fire areas, highlighting the persistent vulnerability of the biome to fire occurrences. Additionally, the relationship between fire hotspots and annual precipitation patterns was analyzed, revealing a correlation between low rainfall and high fire incidence, especially in 2020 and 2024, when prolonged drought increased vegetation flammability and enhanced fire spread, emphasizing the biome's vulnerability to the combination of extended drought and human activities.