scholarly journals Prescribed-burning vs. wildfire: management implications for annual carbon emissions along a latitudinal gradient of <i>Calluna vulgaris</i>-dominated vegetation

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 17817-17849
Author(s):  
V. M. Santana ◽  
J. G. Alday ◽  
H. Lee ◽  
K. A. Allen ◽  
R. H. Marrs
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Fire Ecology ◽  
Latitudinal Gradient ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Calluna Vulgaris ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Litter Accumulation ◽  
Rotation Interval ◽  
Annual Carbon

Abstract. A~present challenge in fire ecology is to optimize management techniques so that ecological services are maximized and C emissions minimized. Here, we model the effects of different prescribed-burning rotation intervals and wildfires on carbon emissions (present and future) in British moorlands. Biomass-accumulation curves from four Calluna-dominated ecosystems along a north–south, climatic gradient in Great Britain were calculated and used within a matrix-model based on Markov Chains to calculate above-ground biomass-loads, and annual C losses under different prescribed-burning rotation intervals. Additionally, we assessed the interaction of these parameters with an increasing wildfire return interval. We observed that litter accumulation patterns varied along the latitudinal gradient, with differences between northern (colder and wetter) and southern sites (hotter and drier). The accumulation patterns of the living vegetation dominated by Calluna were determined by site-specific conditions. The optimal prescribed-burning rotation interval for minimizing annual carbon losses also differed between sites: the rotation interval for northern sites was between 30 and 50 years, whereas for southern sites a hump-backed relationship was found with the optimal interval either between 8 to 10 years or between 30 to 50 years. Increasing wildfire frequency interacted with prescribed-burning rotation intervals by both increasing C emissions and modifying the optimum prescribed-burning interval for C minimum emission. This highlights the importance of studying site-specific biomass accumulation patterns with respect to environmental conditions for identifying suitable fire-rotation intervals to minimize C losses.

scholarly journals Modelling Carbon Emissions in Calluna vulgaris–Dominated Ecosystems when Prescribed Burning and Wildfires Interact

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e0167137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor M. Santana ◽  
Josu G. Alday ◽  
HyoHyeMi Lee ◽  
Katherine A. Allen ◽  
Rob H. Marrs
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Calluna Vulgaris

scholarly journals Asymmetric responses to simulated global warming by populations of Colobanthus quitensis along a latitudinal gradient

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian S. Acuña-Rodríguez ◽  
Cristian Torres-Díaz ◽  
Rasme Hereme ◽  
Marco A. Molina-Montenegro
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Latitudinal Gradient ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
South Shetland Islands ◽  
Plant Populations ◽  
Colobanthus Quitensis ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Long Term Experiment ◽  
Foliar Traits ◽  
The Antarctic

The increase in temperature as consequence of the recent global warming has been reported to generate new ice-free areas in the Antarctic continent, facilitating the colonization and spread of plant populations. Consequently, Antarctic vascular plants have been observed extending their southern distribution. But as the environmental conditions toward southern localities become progressively more departed from the species’ physiological optimum, the ecophysiological responses and survival to the expected global warming could be reduced. However, if processes of local adaptation are the main cause of the observed southern expansion, those populations could appear constrained to respond positively to the expected global warming. Using individuals from the southern tip of South America, the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, we assess with a long term experiment (three years) under controlled conditions if the responsiveness of Colobanthus quitensis populations to the expected global warming, is related with their different foliar traits and photoprotective mechanisms along the latitudinal gradient. In addition, we tested if the release of the stress condition by the global warming in these cold environments increases the ecophysiological performance. For this, we describe the latitudinal pattern of net photosynthetic capacity, biomass accumulation, and number of flowers under current and future temperatures respective to each site of origin after three growing seasons. Overall, was found a clinal trend was found in the foliar traits and photoprotective mechanisms in the evaluated C. quitensis populations. On the other hand, an asymmetric response to warming was observed for southern populations in all ecophysiological traits evaluated, suggesting that low temperature is limiting the performance of C. quitensis populations. Our results suggest that under a global warming scenario, plant populations that inhabiting cold zones at high latitudes could increase in their ecophysiological performance, enhancing the size of populations or their spread.

scholarly journals Modeling Drying of Degenerated Calluna vulgaris for Wildfire and Prescribed Burning Risk Assessment

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torgrim Log
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Numerical Model ◽  
Mass Loss ◽  
Diffusion Coefficients ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Calluna Vulgaris ◽  
Fire Danger ◽  
Drying Process

Research highlights: Moisture diffusion coefficients for stems and branches of degenerated Calluna vulgaris L. have been obtained and a mathematical model for the drying process has been developed and validated as an input to future fire danger modeling. Background and objectives: In Norway, several recent wildland–urban interface (WUI) fires have been attributed to climate changes and accumulation of elevated live and dead biomass in degenerated Calluna stands due to changes in agricultural activities, i.e., in particular abandonment of prescribed burning for sheep grazing. Prescribed burning is now being reintroduced in these currently fire prone landscapes. While available wildfire danger rating models fail to predict the rapidly changing fire hazard in such heathlands, there is an increasing need for an adapted fire danger model. The present study aims at determining water diffusion coefficients and develops a numerical model for the drying process, paving the road for future fire danger forecasts and prediction of safe and efficient conditions for prescribed burning. Materials and methods: Test specimens (3–6 mm diameter) of dead Calluna stems and branches were rain wetted 48 h and subsequently placed in a climate chamber at 20 °C and 50% relative humidity for mass loss recordings during natural convection drying. Based on the diameter and recorded mass versus time, diffusion coefficients were obtained. A numerical model was developed and verified against recoded mass loss. Results: Diffusion coefficients were obtained in the range 1.66–10.4 × 10−11 m2/s. This is quite low and may be explained by the very hard Calluna “wood”. The large span may be explained by different growth conditions, insect attacks and a varying number of years of exposure to the elements after dying. The mathematical model described the drying process well for the specimens with known diffusion coefficient. Conclusions: The established range of diffusion coefficients and the developed model may likely be extended for forecasting moisture content of degenerated Calluna as a proxy for fire danger and/or conditions for efficient and safe prescribed burning. This may help mitigate the emerging fire risk associated with degenerated Calluna stands in a changing climate.

scholarly journals Thinning and Burning Effects on Long-Term Litter Accumulation and Function in Young Ponderosa Pine Forests

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 761-769
Author(s):  
Matt Busse ◽  
Ross Gerrard
Keyword(s):  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Litter Accumulation ◽  
Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽  
Essential Components

Abstract We measured forest-floor accumulation in ponderosa pine forests of central Oregon and asked whether selected ecological functions of the organic layer were altered by thinning and repeated burning. Experimental treatments included three thinning methods applied in 1989 (stem only, whole tree, no thin—control) in factorial combination with prescribed burning (spring 1991 and repeated in 2002; no burn—control). Forest-floor depth and mass were measured every 4–6 years from 1991 to 2015. Without fire, there was little temporal change in depth or mass for thinned (270 trees ha−1) and control (560–615 trees ha−1) treatments, indicating balanced litterfall and decay rates across these stand densities. Each burn consumed 50–70 percent of the forest floor, yet unlike thinning, postfire accumulation rates were fairly rapid, with forest-floor depth matching preburn levels within 15–20 years. Few differences in forest-floor function (litter decay, carbon storage, physical barrier restricting plant emergence, erosion protection) resulted from thinning or burning after 25 years. An exception was the loss of approximately 300 kg N ha−1 because of repeated burning, or approximately 13 percent of the total site N. This study documents long-term forest-floor development and suggests that common silvicultural practices pose few risks to organic layer functions in these forests. Study Implications: Mechanical thinning and prescribed fire are among the most widespread management practices used to restore forests in the western US to healthy, firewise conditions. We evaluated their effects on the long-term development of litter and duff layers, which serve dual roles as essential components of soil health and as fuel for potential wildfire. Our study showed that thinning and burning provided effective fuel reduction and resulted in no adverse effects to soil quality in dry ponderosa pine forests of central Oregon. Repeated burning reduced the site carbon and nitrogen pools approximately 9–13 percent, which is small compared to C located in tree biomass and N in mineral soil. Litter accumulation after burning was rapid, and we recommend burning on at least a 15–20-year cycle to limit its build-up.

scholarly journals Energy-Related Carbon Emissions of China’s Model Environmental Cities

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Kevin Lo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Garden Cities ◽  
Annual Carbon ◽  
Per Capita

This paper identifies three types of model environmental cities in China and examines their levels of energy-related carbon emissions using a bottom-up accounting system. Model environmental cities are identified as those that have been recently awarded official recognition from the central government for their efforts in environmental protection. The findings show that, on average, the Low-Carbon Cities have lower annual carbon emissions, carbon intensities, and per capita emissions than the Eco-Garden Cities and the Environmental Protection Cities. Compared internationally, the Eco-Garden Cities and the Environmental Protection Cities have per capita emissions that are similar to those of American cities whereas per capita emissions from the Low-Carbon Cities are similar to those of European cities. The result indicates that addressing climate change is not a priority for some model environmental cities. Policy changes are needed to prioritize climate mitigation in these cities, considering that climate change is a cross-cutting environmental issue with wide-ranging impact.

scholarly journals Fire regimes in eastern coastal fynbos: Imperatives and thresholds in managing for diversity

Koedoe ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tineke Kraaij ◽  
Richard M. Cowling ◽  
Brian W. Van Wilgen
Keyword(s):  
Fire Ecology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Fire Season ◽  
Fire Intensity ◽  
Plant Management ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Invasive Alien Plant

Until recently, fire ecology was poorly understood in the eastern coastal region of the Cape Floral Kingdom (CFK), South Africa. Rainfall in the area is aseasonal and temperatures are milder than in the winter-rainfall and drier inland parts of the CFK, with implications for the management of fire regimes. We synthesised the findings of a research programme focused on informing ecologically sound management of fire in eastern coastal fynbos shrublands and explored potential east–west trends at the scales of study area and CFK in terms of fire return interval (FRI) and fire season. FRIs (8–26 years; 1980–2010) were comparable to those elsewhere in the CFK and appeared to be shorter in the eastern Tsitsikamma than in the western Outeniqua halves of the study area. Proteaceae juvenile periods (4–9 years) and post-fire recruitment success suggested that for biodiversity conservation purposes, FRIs should be ≥ 9 years in eastern coastal fynbos. Collectively, findings on the seasonality of actual fires and the seasonality of fire danger weather, lightning and post-fire proteoid recruitment suggested that fires in eastern coastal fynbos are not limited to any particular season. We articulated these findings into ecological thresholds pertaining to the different elements of the fire regime in eastern coastal fynbos, to guide adaptive management of fire in the Garden Route National Park and elsewhere in the region.Conservation implications: Wildfires are likely to remain dominant in eastern coastal fynbos, whilst large-scale implementation of prescribed burning is unattainable. Fires occurring in any season are not a reason for concern, although other constraints remain: the need for sufficient fire intensity, safety requirements, and integration of fire and invasive alien plant management.

Can eco-labels reduce carbon emissions? Market-wide analysis of carbon labeling and locally grown fresh apples

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Onozaka ◽  
Wenjing Hu ◽  
Dawn D. Thilmany
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Market Outcomes ◽  
Consumer Responses ◽  
Equilibrium Displacement Model ◽  
Equilibrium Displacement ◽  
The Us ◽  
Annual Carbon ◽  
Locally Grown ◽  
Carbon Labeling

AbstractDespite the heightened efforts to implement eco-labeling schemes as the market-based vehicle for improving environmental quality, the overall effectiveness of eco-labels are still uncertain due to complex and sometimes unexpected market responses. In this paper, we assess the overall changes in carbon emissions resulting from two types of labeling on fresh apples, carbon labels and location designation labels (e.g., locally grown), both of which can have mixed implications for carbon emissions due to fluctuating supply chain factors. We employ an equilibrium displacement model that integrates existing estimates of differences across production systems, and our own estimates of consumer responses to labels in order to simulate the changes in prices, trade flows and estimate carbon impacts across several scenarios in the US fresh apple market. We find that both labels ultimately affect market outcomes and overall carbon emissions. With location designation labels, consumers’ preference for local products leads to a net decrease in carbon emissions during the local growing season, while the interaction of various market dynamics results in a subsequent net increase in carbon emissions during the local off-season. The interaction of a carbon label with the location label lowers the overall attractiveness of products and reduces the quantity demanded, and thus, reduces the carbon emissions in both seasons. Overall, providing the location designation label increases annual carbon emissions, whereas providing both the location designation and carbon labeling decreases annual emissions. In short, the dynamics and interdependency of labeling strategies are important to consider in the context of eco-labeling.

Litter Accumulation Under Calluna Vulgaris on a Lowland Heathland in Britain

1975 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 259 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. B. Chapman ◽  
J. Hibble ◽  
C. R. Rafarel
Keyword(s):  
Calluna Vulgaris ◽  
Litter Accumulation

Study of Forests on Offsetting Carbon Emissions from Energy Consumption in Tianjin, China

2012 ◽  
Vol 610-613 ◽  
pp. 3308-3314
Author(s):  
Shan Gao Xiong ◽  
Hong Yuan Li ◽  
Xiao Ding ◽  
Xun Qiang Mo
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Carbon Storage ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
National Forest Inventory ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Sequestration Rate ◽  
Annual Carbon

Forests can play an important role in mitigating the impacts of climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide.The purpose of this study is to quantified carbon storage and sequestration by forests and carbon emissions from energy consumption by several energy types in Tianjin,China,as well as the role of forests on offsetting carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion.Data used for this study were collected according to the sixth national forest inventory(1999-2003) and China energy statistical yearbook.The results showed that the forests including natural forests and plantation forests in Tianjin stored 571,151.24 t C,with a carbon sequestration rate of 27,311.79 t C/yr. carbon storage per ha was 14.65 t C, and carbon sequestration per ha was 0.87 t C/yr. Carbon emissions from energy consumption in Tianjin were 3.85×107 t C /yr. The carbon stored by forests equaled to 1.48% of the annual carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion, and carbon sequestration could offset 0.07% of the annual carbon emissions in Tianjin. In addition, the results indicates that the carbon storage and sequestration rate varied among forest types with different species and age structure. They provide insights for decision-makers and the public to better understand the role of forests, and make better management plans for forests.

Estimates of carbon emissions from forest fires in Japan, 1979–2008

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiaki Goto ◽  
Satoru Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Carbon Cycles ◽  
Trace Gas Emissions ◽  
Carbon Release ◽  
Annual Carbon ◽  
The Mean

Emissions from forest fires directly affect the global and regional carbon cycles by increasing atmospheric carbon as well as affecting carbon sequestration by forests. We have estimated the release of total carbon, carbon-based trace gases (CO2, CO, CH4) and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) emitted from forest fires in Japan during a 30-year period from 1979 through 2008. The area burnt varied widely from year to year but has gradually diminished since the 1980s. The mean annual area burnt during the period was 1878 ha. The mean annual estimate of direct carbon emissions from forest fires in Japan was 15.8 Gg C year–1 and ranged between 2.7 and 60.4 Gg C year–1. The mean annual trace gas emissions were 49.4 Gg CO2 year–1, 3.4 Gg CO year–1, 0.15 Gg CH4 year–1 and 0.18 Gg NMHC year–1. Although the carbon emissions varied widely from year to year based on the area burnt, they decreased dramatically from the 1980s onward. The interannual variations in trace gases parallel the total carbon emissions. The direct emissions from forest fires in Japan were substantially lower compared with the mean annual net primary production of Japanese forests or the carbon release in other countries and regions. However, the average annual carbon released per unit area burnt was comparable to that estimated in other regions and rose gradually with the increasing age of plantations.

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