Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Forest Fires

Tags:

• GS Paper – 3
• Sustainable Development
• Climate Change
• Current Events of National/International Importance

Key Concepts for Prelims:

• Extratropical and Tropical Regions
• Pyromes
• Effects of Climate Change
• Carbon Emissions
• Greenhouse Gases
• Carbon Market
• Carbon Credits
• CO2

Key Concepts for Mains:

• Impact of Forest Fires on Climate Change
• Regional Variations in Fire Dynamics
• Policy Implications for Fire Management
• Role of Human Activities in Forest Fires

Why in the News?

A recent study conducted by the Centre for Wildfire Research has revealed a dramatic increase in global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions due to forest fires, surging by 60% since 2001. Notably, emissions from boreal forests in Eurasia and North America have nearly tripled, with climate change identified as a primary driver of this alarming trend.

Understanding Forest Fires

Definition:
A forest fire, also known as a wildfire, bushfire, or vegetation fire, is any uncontrolled burning of plants in natural environments such as forests, grasslands, or tundras. These fires are influenced by environmental conditions like wind and topography and typically consume available natural fuels. For a wildfire to sustain combustion, three essential elements must be present: fuel (plant material), oxygen, and a heat source.

Classification of Forest Fires:

1. Surface Fire: Burns along the ground, consuming dry grasses, leaves, and twigs found on the forest floor.
2. Underground/Zombie Fire: Low-intensity fires that burn beneath the forest floor, affecting organic matter.
3. Canopy/Crown Fire: Spreads through the tree canopy, often driven by wind and dry conditions, characterized by intensity and difficulty in control.
4. Controlled Deliberate Fires: Prescribed burns conducted by forest management agencies to reduce fuel loads and mitigate wildfire risks while maintaining ecosystem health.

Key Findings from the Study

1. Global Fire Patterns and Pyromes:
   The study employed machine learning techniques to classify global forest ecoregions into 12 distinct “pyromes.” These zones exhibit similar fire patterns influenced by climate, vegetation, and human activities, enhancing our understanding of fire behavior and improving fire management and risk assessment strategies.
2. Geographical Shifts in Emissions:
   The analysis revealed that carbon emissions from forest fires are rising not only in tropical and subtropical regions but also in extratropical forest areas outside the tropics, primarily driven by climate change.
3. Increased Carbon Combustion:
   Globally, the carbon combustion rate in forest fires has increased by 47%, with forests contributing more to fire emissions compared to savannahs and grasslands. This rise indicates greater fire severity, as more fuel is consumed per unit of burned forest area.
4. Fire Weather and Climate Change:
   Anthropogenic climate change has led to more frequent and severe droughts, resulting in conditions termed “fire weather,” characterized by low fuel moisture and dry vegetation. Furthermore, increased lightning frequency in high-altitude regions is exacerbating the incidence of forest fires.
5. Destabilization of Forest Carbon Stocks:
   The carbon stocks in various forest types—including temperate coniferous, boreal, Mediterranean, and subtropical dry and moist broadleaf forests—are becoming destabilized due to heightened fire severity.
6. Challenges to Carbon Accounting:
   The rising carbon emissions from forest fires pose significant challenges to carbon accounting and greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories submitted to the United Nations. For instance, the wildfires in Canada during 2023 have potentially negated a significant portion of the carbon sink accrued in its forests over the past decade.
7. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

CCS is a process aimed at mitigating CO2 emissions generated from industrial processes and fossil fuel combustion, particularly in power generation. The primary goal of CCS is to prevent a substantial amount of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, thereby reducing its contribution to global warming and climate change.

Challenges Associated with Forest Fires

1. Environmental Impact:
   Forest fires lead to massive biodiversity loss, ecosystem damage, and substantial CO2 emissions, exacerbating climate change. They also release harmful pollutants like particulate matter, which can deteriorate air quality and cause respiratory health issues.
2. Soil Degradation:
   High-intensity fires can destroy soil nutrients, reducing fertility and disrupting local ecosystems.
3. Resource Loss:
   Forests provide critical resources such as timber, food, and livelihoods for local communities, all of which are jeopardized by forest fires.
4. Management Challenges:
   The increasing frequency and intensity of fires, worsened by climate change, complicate effective management and control efforts.
5. Human Health:
   Air pollution and heat exposure from fires can lead to health problems for nearby communities, resulting in higher healthcare costs.
6. Economic Loss:
   The financial impact of forest fires includes firefighting costs, property damage, and recovery efforts.

Forest Fire Scenario in India

Fire Season and Incidence:

• In India, the forest fire season spans from November to June, peaking during April-May.
• According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), approximately 35.47% of the country’s forests are prone to fire, with varying risk levels across regions.
• Areas particularly vulnerable to forest fires include Northeast India, Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand.

Recent Incidents (2024):

• In Uttarakhand, 1,309 forest fires were reported between January and June 2024, marking an increase compared to previous years.
• Data from ISRO indicates a rise in fires since March 2024, affecting multiple regions including Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Odisha.

Government Initiatives:

• National Action Plan for Forest Fires (NAPFF): Launched in 2018 to involve forest communities in reducing fire occurrences.
• Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FPM): Initiated in 2017 to provide states with technical and financial assistance in managing forest fires.

Way Forward

1. Management Strategies:
   Effective forest management is vital, especially in extratropical regions. Monitoring vegetation and prioritizing intervention areas can help mitigate risks.
2. Tropical Strategies:
   In tropical areas, it is essential to reduce ignitions during extreme fire-prone weather and prevent further forest fragmentation to protect forest ecosystems.
3. Ecological Fire Management:
   In regions with a history of heavy fire suppression, implementing ecologically beneficial fire practices may prevent forests from becoming carbon sources.
4. Accurate Reporting Needs:
   The study advocates for improved reporting of forest fire emissions to the United Nations to address gaps in current carbon budget reports linked to human-induced climate change.
5. Carbon Credits Risk Management:
   The rising risk of fire disturbances must be considered in reforestation and carbon credit schemes, particularly in extratropical regions, to avoid overestimating the carbon storage potential.

This detailed analysis highlights the urgent need for effective fire management strategies and policies to mitigate the impacts of forest fires on climate change and human health, emphasizing the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with scientific research in developing sustainable solutions.

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