CLIMATE CHANGE TRENDS AND PEAT FIRES IN POLTAVA REGION: VISUAL COMPARISON USING GOOGLE EARTH ENGINE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2786-5843/2025-3-6Keywords:
climate change, non-forest peat fires, Google Earth Engine, remote sensing, Poltava region, satellite monitoring, land surface temperature, precipitation, soil moistureAbstract
The relevance of the study. Global warming poses a significant threat to ecosystems, particularly peatlands, which are highly sensitive to hydrological changes and serve as major carbon reservoirs. Under rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and declining groundwater levels, peatlands degrade and dry out, becoming more prone to spontaneous ignition. These fires release large amounts of stored carbon, intensifying the greenhouse effect and accelerating climate change. Since the 1960s, the global peat biome has shifted from being a carbon sink to a source of greenhouse gases. In Ukraine, landscape fire risks are projected to double, with notable regional disparities. Poltava region, where peatlands are adjacent to agricultural areas and settlements, is a priority for detailed study. The subject of this research is the relationship between climate change and peat fires in Poltava region. The purpose of the research is to analyze this relationship using satellite data via Google Earth Engine (GEE).Research methodology: involves a spatio-temporal analysis of key climate indicators (LST, precipitation, and soil moisture) from 2001 to 2023 using MOD11A1, CHIRPS, and GLDAS datasets. Fire statistics for non-forested peatlands from 2004–2023 were compared to satellite data to identify correlations, lag effects, and anomalies. GEE was selected for its computational capacity and access to large geospatial datasets. The results revealed a persistent increase in LST and a decline in surface soil moisture (especially 0–10 cm), which mostly correlated inversely with fire frequency. The anomalous year 2010 (high annual moisture and many fires) is explained by masked seasonal droughts and wind effects. Human factors were also emphasized. Practical significance lies in improving fire risk forecasting, monitoring strategies, and resilience planning. Conclusions: Poltava’s climate is becoming hotter and drier, increasing peat fire risks. These are driven by a complex interplay of climatic and anthropogenic factors.A comprehensive approach, including improved monitoring, impact mitigation, and peatland restoration, is required for effective fire risk reduction and regional adaptation. Prospects for further research: Further work should focus on developing predictive models incorporating seasonal variability, human activity, and soil moisture dynamics to improve the accuracy of peat fire risk assessments and regional adaptation strategies.
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