Mapping Forest Fire Dynamics: A Global Perspective on Trends of Severity and Frequency Across Sub-Biomes

Abstract. Understanding forest fire dynamics at a global scale is crucial for effective management & mitigation strategies. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of forest fire trends for severity & frequency across sub-biomes globally, utilizing daily MODIS active fire data (2001-2023). The analysis integrates Mann-Kendall trend tests, Sen’s slope estimations, & spatial mapping to elucidate the patterns of forest fire occurrences & their implications for different ecosystems. The Mann-Kendall trend analysis identified significant trends in fire severity across sub-biomes. Notable increasing trends were observed in the Tundras of tropical mountains in cryoro belt (1c), Lowland boreal Taiga (2a), Forests & shrublands of temperate oro belt (2b), & Forest-steppe (6a). Conversely, decreasing trends were detected in Tropical pluviseasonal forests & woodlands (8b) & Tropical rainforests (9a). Additionally, spatial assessment of forest fire frequency for the year 2023 provides a detailed visual representation of recent forest fire hotspots across the globe, highlighting regions with the highest fire frequencies. Notable hotspots include Tropical rainforests (9a), Tropical xeric shrublands & woodlands (8a), & parts of the African & South American continents, where fire activity was particularly intense. These regions, marked by high fire density, underscore the urgent need for targeted fire management strategies to mitigate impact of recurrent fires. The combined analysis of trends for severity, & frequency of forest fires offers valuable insights into the evolving fire regimes across global sub-biomes. The findings highlight the impacts of forest fires on biodiversity, carbon cycling, and ecosystem services, guiding more resilient strategies for global environmental changes.