Analysis of land cover changes due to forest fires in Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia

Abstract. Thoha AS, Saraswita N, Sulistiyono Wiranata D, Sirait SM, Inaldi R. 2022. Analysis of land cover changes due to forest fires in Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 1420-1426. Forest and occur almost every year with significant impacts losses on the environment various sectors including conservation areas. Park (GLNP) is a area danger losing its slash-and-burn clearing. This study aimed analyze GLNP Sumatera Province. Data hotspots, satellite images, maps, field verification were used see transition before after fires. Temporal spatial analyses carried out trend these changes. Field surveys also conducted verify hotspots as locations for fires, burned land, human activities causing found that 2010 had highest reported from 2001 2019. There indications fairly massive fire 2010, evidenced by identification images. The was near outer boundary expanded into following period. Before non-forest not too large. After there an increase cover, presumably increased access enter cleared fire. During 20 years, primary dryland remained only 6% initial area. At least more than 200 ha reduced year. lands years tended become plantation land. Plantation around 90% during 2000-2019 research sites. expects management parties need prevent expansion clearing because strategic role world heritage currently danger.