Fire Disasters and Land Change in the Akfadou Forest (Northeastern Algeria)

Wildfires are becoming an increasingly severe environmental hazard in Mediterranean forest ecosystems, intensified by climate change and leading to land cover transformation, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation. This study assesses land cover changes using NDVI and NDWI in the Akfadou Forest following the July 25, 2023 wildfire in northeastern Algeria, an area known for its high susceptibility to wildfires and its complex mountainous terrain. Multi-temporal Sentinel 2 imagery (pre-fire: July 13, post-fire: August 8, 2023) was processed using SNAP sojware with cloud masking and atmospheric correction. NDVI and NDWI were used as primary spectral indices to analyze pre- and post-fire conditions, quantify burned areas, and assess vegetation decline and moisture loss patterns. Results reveal strong spatial variability in wildfire impacts, NDVI shows significant decline (green→red/orange zones) indicating photosynthetic loss, particularly in Beni Ksila, Taourirt Ighil, and Toudja corridors. NDWI collapse (dark blue→light cyan) signals severe canopy desiccation in northeastern sectors. Quantitative assessment reveals 30% vegetation cover reduction across 1,000+ ha, with steep slopes (>30°) exhibiting greater damage. Spatial analyses identified fireprone zones influenced by terrain and pre-fire vegetation status. NDVI/NDWI provide rapid, effective assessment of wildfire ecological impacts, establishing baseline damage patterns for prioritized restoration of high-damage slope zones and real-time monitoring. This research validates spectral indices for evidence-based forest management under climate change pressures.