An analysis of the recent fire regimes in the Angolan catchment of the Okavango Delta, Central Africa

A study analyzing fire regimes in the Angolan catchment of the Okavango Delta reveals that human presence does not significantly alter fire return intervals but increases flammable areas within miombo woodlands. Over 20 years, short bushlands and open woodlands burned every 1.9 to 2.2 years, while miombo woodlands had longer intervals (4.5 years), with 14% remaining unburnt. Late dry-season fires, peaking in August-September, are detrimental to miombo woodlands, a previously fire-free vegetation type now threatened by degradation and shifting cultivation. The research used MODIS data to assess fire frequency and seasonality across three vegetation types, highlighting the ecological risks posed by altered fire regimes to the Delta's stability.

van Wilgen, B. W., de Klerk, H. M., Stellmes, M., & Archibald, S. (2022). An analysis of the recent fire regimes in the Angolan catchment of the Okavango Delta, Central Africa. Fire Ecology, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-022-00138-3