Burnings in the Brazilian savanna: A preliminary analysis on key biophysical drivers using MODIS and TRMM data

Fire is an important agent affecting the climate system and ecosystem dynamics. Thus, in this study we attempted to understand the characteristics and biophysical context of both the burned and unburned areas in the Cerrado biome, in 2010, using the MCD45A1 burned area product. For each burned (>;10 km²) and unburned polygon, and considering the PROBIO remnant vegetation map, accumulated mean ET (MOD16), EVI (MOD13), and PPT (TRMM) data were obtained. On average, the burned sites showed smaller ET, EVI, and PPT values, a clear indication that the fire affected areas were subject to more severe droughts, prior to the major burning season (mid-September/October). In order to understand and map the severity of droughts, our results indicate the need for multi-temporal and seasonal analysis, as well as the use of EVI as a potential proxy to water stress.