Assessment of Fire Distribution across Elevation Zones Using GIS and Remote Sensing On Mount Mulanje, Malawi
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Fire is an important disturbance factor influencing vegetation dynamics, ecosystem functioning, and land-cover conditions in mountain environments. This study assessed the spatial occurrence of fire across different vegetation zones of Mount Mulanje and examined its effects on vegetation conditions over a ten-year period. The study focused on five vegetation zones: miombo woodland, evergreen vegetation, grassland, shrubland, and Afro-alpine vegetation. Land use and land cover (LULC) were also assessed using five major classes: forest, grassland, agriculture, bareland, and water. Remote sensing and satellite-derived vegetation indices were used to identify burned areas and compare vegetation conditions before and after fire occurrence. The results showed that a total of 10,766 ha was burned during the study period. Fire occurrence was highly uneven, with grassland accounting for 9,522 ha (88.4%) of the total burned area, followed by shrubland with 642 ha (6.0%), miombo woodland with 346 ha (3.2%), evergreen vegetation with 254 ha (2.4%), and Afro-alpine vegetation with approximately 2 ha (< 0.1%). The dominance of grassland was associated with the availability and continuity of dry, fine fuels that facilitate fire ignition and rapid spread, particularly during dry periods, while the low incidence of fire in evergreen and Afro-alpine vegetation was associated with higher moisture availability, elevation, environmental conditions, and limited fuel continuity. The LULC results indicated that the spatial arrangement of forest, grassland, agriculture, bareland, and water influences fire susceptibility and potential fire spread. Agricultural areas may provide potential ignition sources, while grassland may facilitate the spread of fire into adjacent shrubland and woodland. Comparison of pre-fire and post-fire vegetation conditions showed a noticeable short-term decline in vegetation condition within burned areas, reflecting the removal and disturbance of above-ground vegetation biomass. However, the extent and duration of vegetation decline may vary according to vegetation type, fire characteristics, and the capacity of vegetation to recover. The study concludes that fire occurrence on Mount Mulanje is influenced by the interaction of vegetation characteristics, land-cover patterns, climatic conditions, topography, and human activities. The findings highlight the need for targeted fire-management strategies, particularly in grassland areas and at interfaces between agricultural land and natural vegetation. Continued satellite-based monitoring is recommended to assess repeated burning, vegetation degradation, and post-fire recovery and to support sustainable management and conservation of the Mount Mulanje ecosystem.
Source: Research Square
Authors: Lucius Malalu, Henry Chinthuli
Institution: Malawi University of Science and Technology
Language: English
Topic: Fire effects on ecosystems
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDGs: Life on land, Climate action
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7213293906