Impact of wildfire in Russia between 1998–2010 on ecosystems and the global carbon budget

• Published in: Doklady earth sciences Vol. 441; no. 2; pp. 1678 - 1682
• Main Authors: Shvidenko, A. Z., Shchepashchenko, D. G., Vaganov, E. A., Sukhinin, A. I., Maksyutov, Sh. Sh, McCallum, I., Lakyda, I. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01-12-2011; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Carbon; Carbon cycle (Biogeochemistry); Climate change; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Ecosystems; Emissions; Emissions (Pollution); Environmental impact; Forest & brush fires; Geography; Global temperature changes; Wildfires; Russia; Palmer Drought Severity Index; DOKLADY Earth Science; Fire Regime; Burnt Area; Carbon Emission
• ISSN: 1028-334X; 1531-8354
• DOI: 10.1134/S1028334X11120075

Verified estimates of wildfire area and related carbon emissions in territories of Russia are reported for the period of 1998–2010. It is shown that the average burnt area is estimated to be at 8.23 million hectares per year (uncertainty ±9.0%, confidence interval 0.9), and carbon emissions—121 Tg C yr
−1
(±23%), with a significant interannual variability of these indicators. A quantitative characteristic of fire emissions by species is reported. Forests are a source of three quarters of all carbon emissions caused by wildfires. A significant acceleration of fire regimes is expected during the 21st century as a result of climate change in the country.