Preliminary study about the possibility of using images of NOAA-AVHRR atmospheric satellites for detecting forest fires and delineate burnt areas in the forests of the Western Ghats.

Main results of the internship at the IFP of Nicolas De Caluwe.

Abstract

We try to set up a methodology to detect forest fires and to delineate burnt areas. This methodology is based on NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data. The study area, located in the South of the Palghat gap, is the one used by the ecology department of the French Institute of Pondichery for the « landscape » project (Forest Landscape Analysis and Management Plan for Kerala). Thirteen NOAA-AVHRR images were used, dating from the months of March and April of the years 2002 to 2005. This methodology was based on modification of pixel values in three channels : albedo, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and surface temperature.

Albedo of burnt areas should show a decrease of value compared to former vegetation, NDVI should have a less value of reflectance because of the decrease of the reflectance in the near infrared spectrum. Surface temperature of active fire should have an increase of value because of the heat. Some problems appear for detecting burnt areas.

Results we have found with this methodology are not conclusive because of the big heterogeneity of the study area and surroundings, because also of the resolution of NOAA-AVHRR images compared to the size of fire in these forests.

Speakers

Nicolas de Caluwe, Université Libre de Bruxelles,Belgium
Agathe Garendeau, International Civil Volunteer, IFP

Organizers

Department of Ecology and Laboratory of Applied Informatics and Geomatics, French Institute of Pondicherry

Venue

Jawaharlal Nehru conference Hall
French Institute of Pondicherry
11 Saint Louis street
Pondicherry 605001

Time

16h30