Loos of vegetation cover and variation in ambient temperature in Carpish-Huanuco, period 2022-2024

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the variation in monthly maximum and minimum temperatures associated with the loss of vegetation cover in the Carpish area, Huánuco, during the period 2022–2024. Methodology: Quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional, and correlational design, using climate data from SENAMHI and satellite images (Landsat and Sentinel) to calculate the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and analyze vegetation cover. Results: A sustained increase in temperature was observed: the average maximum temperature rose from 19.0°C in 2022 to 19.70°C in 2024, and the minimum from 11.0°C to 11.89°C. At the same time, vegetation cover decreased from 53,568 to 42,842 hectares between 2021 and 2023, representing a loss of 10,725.84 hectares. There is a very strong but insignificant negative correlation (-0.95; p=0.20) between temperature and vegetation cover; that is, as temperature increases, vegetation cover tends to decrease.. Conclusion: It was confirmed that deforestation directly contributes to rising temperatures.