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FOREST FIRES IN RUSSIA: CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS IN THE ATMOSPHERE
Citation:
Dixon, R. AND O. Krankina. FOREST FIRES IN RUSSIA: CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS IN THE ATMOSPHERE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-93/348 (NTIS PB93229664).
Description:
Boreal forests of Russia play a significant role in the global carbon cycle and the f lux of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. ecause f ire and other disturbances are ecologically inherent in boreal forests, large areas are burned annually and contributions to the flux of carbon to the atmosphere may be significant. orest fire emissions were calculated for the years 1971 to 1991 using fire frequency and distribution data as well as fuel and carbon density for different forest ecoregions of Russia. oth direct carbon release and indirect post-fire biogenic carbon flux were estimated. rom 1971-1991 the annual total forest area burned by wildfire ranged from 1.41 - 10.0 x 106 ha. Approximately 15-25,000 forest fires occurred annually during this period. ean annual direct C02-C emissions from wildfire was approximately 0.05 Pg over this 21 year period. otal post-fire biogenic CO,-C emissions for 1971-1991 ranged from 2.5 - 5.9 Pg. orest fires and other catastrophic disturbances are expected' to be a primary mechanism driving vegetation change associated with projected global change. orest management and fire control activities may mitigate the impact of wildfire and reduce the associated pulse of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.