ASSESSMENT OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN CRIMEAN FORESTS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CROWN AND SURFACE FIRES

Abstract

We present results of studies carried out from 2007 to 2020 on the assessment of the emission of the main greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrous oxide, mono- and nitrogen dioxide, emitted during top and bottom fires in the forests of the Republic of Crimea. The aim of the work was to monitor greenhouse gas emissions as a result of fires according to ground-based studies in the forests of the peninsula. Materials and methods. The objects of study were uneven-aged burnt forests of pine plantations and oak forests in the foothill zone (Simferopol forestry), as well as pine and oak forests of the reserve located on the southern macroslope of the Crimean Mountains. The weight indicators of carbon emissions from fires for forest stand, undergrowth, undergrowth and litter are calculated taking into account conversion factors. Results. The total emissions of greenhouse gases from fires of different intensities in the foothill zone during this period reached 1575.6 t in (9.87 t/ha), and the contribution of carbon dioxide to the total volume was 6.1 t/ha. In the nature reserve, the total emissions were 23227.8 t in (20.98 t/ha) and 12.8 t/ha for carbon dioxide. These higher values are due to greater age, density and stock of the forest stand. The contributions of various greenhouse gases to the total emissions were: 61.2% for carbon dioxide, 28.5% for nitrogen dioxide, 8.5% for carbon monoxide, and less than 1.8% for methane and nitrous oxide in total. Conclusions. The method used in this study for calculating greenhouse gas emissions released during fire impact on forest ecosystems can be considered as a good toolkit for a detailed assessment of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated during fires of various intensities.

Keywords

• intensity of fires
• fire emissions
• foothill and mountain forests
• greenhouse gases
• crimea