SPACE-TIME FREQUENCY OF HOTSPOTS IN MINAS GERAIS FROM 1999 TO 2009

Abstract

The aim of this study was to rescue the history of hotspots in the state of Minas Gerais during the years of 1999 to 2009 for an exploratory data analysis. Through temporal analysis, we proceeded an analysis of the months and years where foci have been more frequent and of the critical period of occurrence of hotspots. The analysis considered the spatial frequency and the density of hotspots in the State Forestry Institute (IEF) nuclei. In the case of conservation units, it was also analyzed the annual recurrence. In total, 67,334 hotspots were detected in MG during the period from 1999 to 2009. Temporal analysis revealed that the year 2003 had the highest frequency, totaling 10,929 hotspots; the year 2009, in turn, had only 2,378 spots. October was the month with the largest frequency, with 24,149 of hotspots recorded. Nuclei with higher frequency, higher density and higher recurrence of hotspots in the case of conservation units, present the worst scenario, being considered as the most critical hotspots. However, low frequency of hotspots and high density are also indicatives of critical areas. In areas of high frequency of hotspots and low density, the size of the area directly influenced the high incidence of active hotspots. In these areas it is suggested an analysis of spatial distribution to check if hotspots are concentrated or sparse. The best scenario presented here is low frequency and low density of hotspots.