esm52/Madagascar_Forest_Fires

This repository contains data and scripts to analyze forest loss and fire activity in Madagascar from 2000-2018 --- output: html_document: default pdf_document: default --- # Madagascar_Forest_Fires This repository contains data and scripts to analyze forest loss and fire activity in Madagascar from 2000-2018 ## Summary The purpose of this repository is to contain data, code, and analyses for a project examining the impact of agricultural activity on deforestation and fire activity in Madagascar during the years 2000-2018. This repository contains a csv file of forest loss by year, fire activity by year, and agricultural productivity for Madagascar's main crops (cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, bananas, rice, cloves, coffee, cocoa, and vanilla) as well as scripts for data management, exploratory data analysis, and modeling. The goal of this analysis is to examine the relationship between forest loss and fire activity and identify the impact of agricultural productivity on land clearing practices. I am also interested in seeing if land clearing rates have changed over time through a time series analysis. ## Investigators Erika Munshi, Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment ## Keywords Madagascar, agriculture, forest loss, fire activity, slash and burn agriculture, remote sensing ## Database Information Forest Loss Data To measure deforestation in Madagascar, I used the Global Forest Change (2000-2018) dataset produced by Hansen et al (2013) (accessed in January 2019). This dataset was generated using multispectral satellite imagery from the Landsat 5 thematic mapper, Landsat 7 thematic mapper plus, and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager remote sensors. In this dataset, tree cover is defined as all vegetation 5 meters or greater in height. The dataset does not discriminate between natural forest and plantations. The Global Forest Change data consist of 10x10 degree tiles (approximately 30m spatial resolution at the equator) of forest canopy change. Forest loss, the indicator used in my analysis, is defined as change from forest to non-forest state between t …