Effects of Climate Variability on Bushfire Regimes in the Bagoué Region, Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

Bushfires are an important factor in the dynamics of savannah landscapes. This study is carried out in the Bagoué region to evaluate the relationships between climatic variability and bushfire regimes. To achieve this objective, rainfall and temperature data were analyzed. The information’s were collected with 300 heads of household surveyed, 100 in Boundiali, Kouto and Tengrela were selected, respectively. A purposive sampling was defined according to the following criteria: any person who uses fires in agricultural activity; the respondent must be at least 30 years old and have been in the survey for at least 20 years. The results recorded from 1990 to 2002, showed that the rainfall was increased at 14.8%followed by a 10.7% and was decreased between 2003 and 2020 in Boundiali. Average annual rainfall was 1,408.99 mm, with a 13.2% increase between 1990 and 2002 and a 20.1% deficit between 2003 and 2020. Average annual rainfall in Tengrela also showed h1,515.9 mm, with a surplus of 171.5 mm, i.e. an increase of 12.8% from 1990 to 2002 and a rainfall deficit of 9.2% from 2003 to 2020. Temperatures rise to 0.7°C, 0.74°C and 0.74°C in Boundiali, Kouto and Tengrela between 1990 and 2020, respectively. Three fire periods were identified with lowest intensities and frequencies. The combination of rainfall declining, the temperatures increasing, the highest dry biomass, and the agricultural activities contributes to the emergence of bushfires in the Bagoué region. This study highlights the importance of addressing these factors to mitigate the impact of bushfires. This research highlights the importance of considering climatic factors in understanding bushfire dynamics in savannah landscapes.