Assessing Burnt Area Severity in the Critical Zone Monitoring Site of a Philippine Natural Park

Wildfires are a global phenomenon shaping ecosystems and influencing biodiversity. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding fire severity and ecological recovery in tropical protected areas, particularly those dominated by invasive and pioneer grass species. Hence, this regional case study aimed to create the first burn severity map of the Core Zone Monitoring area in Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park, Philippines, using Landsat satellite imagery from 2020-2021 to evaluate fire impacts on grassland dynamics. The analysis employed pre- and post-fire satellite data and burn indices, revealing that 44.39 % of the landscape remained unburned, while the rest experienced varying burn severities. Remarkably, 45.64 % of the burned areas showed enhanced regrowth within 11 months, demonstrating significant recovery potential of the area. These findings highlight the interplay between fire disturbances and ecological resilience with a geomatic approach that provides a replicable framework for fire severity assessments and offers valuable insights for conservation planning globally.