T31 Forests Ecosystems and Carbon Dynamics 250227.pdf

Forests Ecosystems
Carbon Footprint
Forests Deforestation and Degradation. Biomass.
Forests role in carbon cycle for the earth.

1. Forests Ecosystems and
Carbon Dynamics
1
Moustafa M. Elsayed
EGEC Engineering House of Expertise
Giza, Egypt
Feb 2025

2. Contents
•About Forests
•Forests Definition
•UN FAO Definition of a Forest
•World Forests Areas
•Forests and Carbon Cycle
•Deforestation & Degradation
•Deforestation
•Degradation
•World Net Change of Area
•World Distribution
•Emissions
•Reducing Emissions
•Forests Fires
•Definition
•Classes & Severity
•Causes
•Effects of Forests Fires
•Forest Fires Management
2
•Forests Biomass
•About Biomass
•Forests Content of Biomass
•Biomass Burning Emission
Factor
•Calculation of Emissions from
Deforestation and Degradation
•Calculation of Emissions
•IFORCE
•Calculation of Emission from
Forests Fires
•Concept
•Fuel Load
•Emissions Calculation
•Example of Calculations
•References

3. About Forests
Forests Definition
3
•There is no universal definition of what a ‘forest’ is.
•There are a range of estimates of forest area and this has changed
over time.
•In general, aforestis anecosystemcharacterized by a
densecommunityoftrees.
•Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world,
incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use,
legal standing, and ecological function. It does not include land that
is predominantly under agricultural or urban use.
https://ourworldindata.org/deforestation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest

4. About Forests
World Forests Areas
4
•The world has a total forest area
of4.06 billion hectares(ha), which
is31%of the total land area. Tropical
domain has (45%), followed by the
boreal (27%), temperate (16%) and
subtropical (11%)domains.
•About 54% of the world’s forests are
located in only five countries: the
Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada,
the United States of Americaand
China.
•More than 90% of the world's
forestshas regenerated naturally.
https://adria-balkan.fsc.org/en/forest-
ecosystems/world#:~:text=The%20world%20has%20a%20total,and%20subtropical%20(11%25)%20domains.

5. About Forests
UN FAO Definition of a Forest
5
•United Nations'Food and Agriculture Organization
(UN FAO) has a very specific definition of a forest.
It’s “land spanning more than 0.5 hectares (5,000
m
2
) with trees higher than 0.5 meters and a
canopy cover of more than 10%, or trees able to
reach these thresholds in situ.”
https://ourworldindata.org/deforestation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest
•Using UN FAO definition,Global Forest Resources Assessment
2020found that forests covered 4.06billion hectares (40.6million
square km
2
), or about 31 % of the world's land area in 2020.
•The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
allows low-to-middle-income countries to receive finance for
projects that prevent or reduce deforestation.

6. About Forests
World Forests Areas – Primary & Planted
6

7. About Forests
Forests and Carbon Cycle
7
https://www.musimmas.com/resources/blogs/how-do-forests-sequester-and-absorb-carbon/
Future TrendsFuture Trends

8. About Forests
Review Questions
8
1.Discuss forest areas and there distribution in the world.
2.Give forest definition as per UN FAO.
3.How does UNFCCC help to reduce deforestation?
4.Explain how forests play a role in Earth's carbon cycle.

9. Deforestation & Degradation
9
•Deforestationis the purposeful clearing of forested land to make
space for agriculture and animal grazing, and to obtain wood for
fuel, manufacturing, and construction.
•Now about 31% of Earth's land surface is covered byforestsat
present.This is one-third less than theforest coverbefore the
expansion of agriculture.
•Up to 18 millionhectaresof forest are destroyed every year.
•Direct causes of most deforestation are agriculture, livestock
grazing, wood industry (logging), urbanization and mining.
•Deforestation gives another cause for climate change.
•The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR),
defined Deforestation as the permanent reduction of the tree
canopy cover to be below the minimum 10% threshold.
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/deforestation/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation
Deforestation - Definition

10. Deforestation & Degradation
Deforestation - Timeline
10
https://ourworldindata.org/world-lost-one-third-forests

11. Deforestation & Degradation
11
•Forest degradationis a process in which the biological wealth of a
forest area is permanently diminished by some factor or by a
combination of factors.
•This does not involve a reduction of the forest area, but rather a
quality decrease in its condition.
•The forest is still there, but with fewer trees, or fewer species of
trees, plants or animals, or some of them affected by plagues.
•Deforestation is much worse than forest degradation, but it is clear
and visible.
•Forest degradation may start and go on without showing clear
effects.
•The severity and type of degradation depend on geographical
location, forest type, and the kind of human activities in the area.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_degradation
Forest Degradation - Definition

12. Deforestation & Degradation
12
•Uncontrolled loggingfor timber, firewood, and charcoal are major
contributors.
•The clearing of forests for the cultivation of cash crops like soy, palm
oil, coffee, and cocoa or for cattle rearing contributes significantly to
forest degradation.
•Mining activities and infrastructure development lead to the felling
of trees, causing degradation.
•Climate changes causing warmer temperatures, altered rainfall
patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events are
contributing to forest degradation around the globe.
https://www.live-eo.com/article/what-is-forest-degradation-definition-causes-and-mitigation-under-eudr
Forest Degradation - Causes

13. Deforestation & Degradation
13
https://ourworldindata.org/deforestation
Forest Degradation - Drivers

14. Deforestation & Degradation
14
•Deforestationis the complete
removal of trees for the
conversion of forest to another
land use such as agriculture,
mining, or towns and cities.
•It results in a permanent
conversion of forest into an
alternative land use. The trees
arenot expected to regrow.
https://ourworldindata.org/deforestation
Degradation vs. Deforestation
•Forest degradationmeasures a
thinning of the canopy (a
reduction in the density of
trees in the area) but without a
change in land use.
•The changes to the forest are
often temporary, and it’s
expected that they will regrow.

15. Deforestation & Degradation
15
https://ourworldindata.org/deforestation
World Net Change of Area
Ha = hectare
= 10,000 m
2
Mha = million hectare
•The regrowth of
forests is a positive
development.
•In the chart, see how
this affects thenet
changein global
forests.
•Forest recovery and
plantation ‘offsets’ a
lot of deforestation
such that the net
losses are around half
the rates of
deforestation alone.

16. Deforestation & Degradation
16
https://ourworldindata.org/deforestation
World Distribution

17. Deforestation & Degradation
17
•Trees not only absorb carbon dioxidefrom our air, they also store
carbon in their roots, leaves and trunk.
•When trees are cut down, tons of carbon dioxide is released into
our atmosphere.
•As a result of deforestation and degradation, sometropical
forests now emit more carbonthan they capture, turning them
from a carbon ‘sink’ into a carbon source. For example, the south-
eastern part of the Amazon Rainforest isnow considered a net
carbon sourceby scientists.
•Principally deforestation and degradation, contributes12–20%of
global greenhouse gas emissions.
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/brazil/stories-in-brazil/deforestation-and-climate-
change/#:~:text=Trees%20not%20only%20absorb%20carbon,released%20and%20less%20is%20absorbed.
Emissions - Source
https://ourworldindata.org/deforestation

18. Deforestation & Degradation
•Shown are CO
2
emission produced by
deforestation for
agricultural products
and where the
products driving the
deforestation are
finally consumed.
•Data are Producers and
Consumers Annual
Average (2011 to 2014)
of CO
2 Emission
18
https://ourworldindata.org/deforestation
Emissions – Producers and Consumers

19. Deforestation & Degradation
19
•Policymakers developed what is known as“reducing emissions
from deforestation and degradation” (REDD)
•REDD provides a financial incentiveto governments,
agribusinesses and communities to maintain and possibly
increase, rather than reduce, forest cover.
•The REDD+ refers to“the role of conservation, sustainable
management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks
in developing countries”.
•In REDD+, incentives for forest protection are offeredto countries,
communities and individual landowners in exchange for slowing
deforestation, and carrying out activities that promote
reforestation and sustainable forest management.
https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/whats-redd-and-will-it-help-tackle-climate-
change/#:~:text=Land%20use%20change%2C%20principally%20deforestation,also%20contribute%20to%20these%20emissions.
Reducing Emissions – REDD Policy

20. Deforestation & Degradation
20
•The principles of REDD+ were further reinforcedin theParis
Agreementon climate change (COP21).
•REDD+ policies operate through a variety of mechanisms,
including those administered by the United Nations (UN-REDD)
and the World Bank (theForest Carbon Partnership Facility).
•REDD+ finance is also a key component ofinternational climate
finance discussions, and is often considered through the
voluntary carbon markets and via activities implemented by
profit and non-profit organizations.
https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/whats-redd-and-will-it-help-tackle-climate-
change/#:~:text=Land%20use%20change%2C%20principally%20deforestation,also%20contribute%20to%20these%20emissions.
Reducing Emissions – REDD Implementation

21. Deforestation & Degradation
Review Questions
21
1.Define deforestation and its impact on climate change.
2.The percentage of land covered by forests has fallen from 57% to 38% of the Earth's
total land area. See time line for this change and give your conclusions.
3.Define forest degradation and its causes. Demonstrate how it may be affected by
climate change.
4.Discuss changes in deforestation in recent years and its global distribution.
5.“Sometropical forests now emit more carbonthan they capture”, explain.
6.Deforestation is primarily driven by the production of agricultural products consumed
in regions far from where they are grown. Discuss this in relation to the carbon dioxide
emissions produced by deforestation
7.Explain what are REDD and REDD+ programs.

22. Forests Fires
Definition
22
•A forest fire is also known asawildfire,abushfire, desert fire,
grass fire, hill fire, peat fire, prairie fire, vegetation fire, or veld fire
in various parts of the world.
•This is an unplanned, uncontrolled and unpredictablefirein an
area ofcombustiblevegetation.
•Modernforest managementoften engages in prescribed burns to
mitigate fire risk and promote natural forest cycles.
•Controlled burns can turn into wildfires by mistake.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfire

23. Forests Fires
Classes & Severity
23
•Wildfires can be classified by: cause of ignition, physical
properties, combustible material present, and the effect of
weather on the fire.
•The fire severity results from a combination of factors such as
available fuels, physical setting, and weather.
•Climatic cycles with wet periods that create substantial fuels,
followed bydroughtand heat, often precede severe Forests
Fires.
•These cycles have been intensified byclimate change.
•Wildfires are a common type ofdisasterin some regions in the
world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfire

24. Forests Fires
Causes: Natural
24
•Natural occurrences that can ignite wildfireswithout the
involvement of humans includelightning,volcanic eruptions,
sparksfrom rock falls, andspontaneous combustions.
•Naturally occurring wildfires can have beneficial effects on
thoseecosystemsthat have evolved with fire.
•Many plant species depend on the effects of firefor growth and
reproduction.
•Some natural forest ecosystemsdepend on wildfire.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfire

25. Forests Fires
Causes: Human Activities
25
•Sources of human-caused fire may includearson, accidental
ignition, or the uncontrolled use of fire in land-clearing and
agriculture such as the slash-and-burn farming in Southeast Asia.
•In thetropics, farmers often practice theslash-and-burnmethod of
clearing fields during thedry season.
•Inmiddle latitudes, the most common human causes of wildfires
are equipment generating sparks (chainsaws, grinders, mowers,
etc.),overhead power lines, andarson.
•Arsonmay account for over 20% of human caused fires.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfire

26. Forests Fires
Causes: Percentages
26https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364756981_Impact_of_Forest_Fire_on_Forest_Ecosystem

27. Forests Fires
Effects of Forests Fires
27
•Wildfires can severely impact humans and their settlements.
•Effects on humaninclude for example the direct health impacts of
smoke and fire, as well as destruction of property (especially
inwildland–urban interfaces), and economic losses.
•There is also the potential for contamination of water and soil.
•Human practices have made the impacts of wildfire worse, with a
doubling in land area burned by wildfires compared to natural
levels.
•The carbon released from wildfires can add tocarbon dioxide
concentrations in the atmosphereand thus contribute to
thegreenhouse effect. This creates aclimate change feedback.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfire

28. Forests Fires
Effects: Most Affected Countries
28
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-04033-y

29. Forests Fires
Forest Fire Management
29
•When seeing a wildfire,the first response is to put it out.
•Fire has a role in nature–one that can lead to healthy ecosystems.
•There is a need for ways to manage forest fires to let it play its
role, for instance, by ignitingprescribed fires and/or minimize its
impact on climate.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/managing-fire

30. Forests Fires
Forest Fires Management: Fire-Adapted
30
•Lightningstrikes in adry forestoccur naturally, and fire can
improveecosystemhealth, by fertilizing thesoilwith ash, and
decreasing diseases and pests.
•The species of plants and animalsnative to those
ecosystemsareenhancedby or dependent on the occurrence of
fire to persist and reproduce.
•Some plant species even require fire for their seeds to germinate.
•The use ofprescribed fire, in which areas are burned intentionally
and under controlled conditions, can restore those ecosystems
and promote the conditions that were present historically prior to
the removal ofwildfire.
https://www.britannica.com/science/forest-fire

31. Forests Fires
Forest Fires Management: EU Action
31
•TheEU Forest Strategy for 2030sets the basis for increased fire
prevention and climate resilience of forests. Also, theguidelines
on land-based wildfire preventioncall for managing vegetation
and avoiding the accumulation of fuels on the groundto facilitate
firefighting.
•The EU is working on measures to mitigate the unavoidable
impact of wildfires and published theEU Strategy on Adaptation
to Climate Changein March 2021.
•The proposal for aNature Restoration Lawis a key tool for
adaptation and mitigation efforts as nature lessens the impact of
natural disasters such as floods, droughts and heat waves.
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/forests/forest-fires_en

32. Forests Biomass
About Biomass
32
•Biomass is renewable organic material that comes from plants
and animals.
•Biomass can be burned directly for heator converted to liquid
and gaseous fuels through various processes.
•Forests biomass sources for energy include:
•Wood and wood processing waste—firewood, wood pellets,
and wood chips, lumber and furniture mill sawdust and
waste, andblack liquorfrom pulp and paper mills
•Agricultural crops and waste materials—corn, soybeans,
sugar cane, switchgrass, woody plants, algae, and crop and
food processing residues, mostly to producebiofuels.
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/

33. Forests Biomass
Forests Content of Biomass - 01
33
•Forest contents of biomass include all living and dead plant matter:
•Above-ground biomass: Trees, shrubs, and other plant.
•Below-ground biomass: Roots and underground plant parts.
•Dead biomass: Fallen leaves, branches, dead trees, ... etc.
•Litter layer: Organic material on the forest floor.
•Forest biomass is a critical component of the global carbon cycle, as
it stores carbon that would otherwise contribute to atmospheric
CO₂ levels.
•The amount of biomass in a forest can vary significantly depending
on factors such as forest type, age, climate, and management
practices.
https://chat.deepseek.com/

34. Forests Biomass
34
•Tropical Forests: Amazon rainforest, Congo Basin, Southeast Asian
rainforests. High biomass: dense vegetation, rapid growth, and high
biodiversity.
•Above-ground: 150–400 metric tons per hectare (t/ha).
•Total biomass (including below-ground): 200–500 t/ha.
•Temperate Forests: North America, Europe, and East Asia. Moderate
biomass, with trees contributing to carbon storage.
•Above-ground biomass: 100–300 t/ha.
•Total biomass: 150–350 t/ha.
•Boreal Forests: Forests in Canada, Russia, and Scandinavia. Lower biomass
compared to tropical and temperate forests, but vast areas.
•Above-ground biomass: 50–150 t/ha.
•Total biomass: 70–200 t/ha.
Forests Content of Biomass - 02
https://chat.deepseek.com/

35. Forests Biomass
35
•Mangrove Forests: Coastal forests in Southeast Asia, the Amazon
Delta, and Africa. High biomass due to dense root systems and
rapid growth in coastal environments
•Above-ground biomass: 100–300 t/ha.
•Total biomass: 150–400 t/ha.
•Planted Forests (Managed Forests): Commercial plantations of
pine, eucalyptus, and acacia. Biomass varies depending on
species, rotation length, and management intensity.
•Above-ground biomass: 50–200 t/ha.
•Total biomass: 70–250 t/ha.
Forests Content of Biomass - 03
https://chat.deepseek.com/

36. Forests Biomass
36
Biomass Burning Emission Factor
•Biomass emission factor data can be found from a variety of sources,
including:
•International Energy Agency (IEA): https://www.iea.org/data-and-
statistics/data-product/emissions-factors-2023
•Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI):
https://www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/conversion-
factors
•US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): https://www.epa.gov/air-
emissions-factors-and-quantification/ap-42-compilation-air-pollutant-
emission-factors
•Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):
https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/gl/guidelin/ch1ref3.pdf
•It's important to note that emission factors can vary depending on
the type of biomass, combustion technology, and other factors.
https://gemini.google.com/app

37. Forests Fires & Forests Biomass
Review Questions
37
1.What is a prescribed burn of a forest and how is this related to forest fires?
2.Give possible causes of forest fires and the approximate percentage of each cause.
3.It is well known that naturally caused forest fires can be a part of the ecosystem.
Explain.
4.Discuss the possible effects of forest fires.
5.Where do most forest fires occur?
6.Define biomass and explain its role in influencing forest fire behavior.
7.Discuss potential sources of data for determining biomass emission factors.

38. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
38
•Estimating emissions from deforestation or forest degradation
may be based on Activity Data (AD) and on Emission Factors (EF)
Emissions = AD x EF
•AD = change in forest area or in area of degraded forest (in ha)
•EF = emissions expressed in tC/ha.
https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/carbon_emissions#:~:text=Estimating%20emissions%20from%20deforestation%20
or,emissions%20expressed%20in%20tC%2Fha.
Calculation of Emissions

39. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
39
•Monitoring, reporting and verification of forestry emissions are
essential requirementsfor achieving the objectives of the UNFCCC
Paris agreement (Dec. 2015), to limit global warming.
•The EU’s, established IFORCE (International Forest Resources and
Carbon Emissions) to support protection from global warming.
•IFORCE is to develop methodsto benchmark the monitoring of
forest resources and carbon emissions.
•IFORCEaims at assessment of forest cover change in tropical
regions from Earth Observation data.
https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
IFORCE - Definition

40. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
IFORCE - IMPACT Toolbox
40
•IMPACT Toolbox is a software included in
IFORCE.
•IMPACT Toolbox offersa combination of
remote sensing, photo interpretation and
processing technologies in a portable and
stand-alone GIS environment.
•Pixel-based maps for forests area change and
for forest degradation are monitored.
•IMPACT toolbox is free software. For further info see:
https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/IMPACT
•For download of webinars to demonstrates the use of the software
together with case study visit:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15jfY4PeCxU-
lPG07EekpfF78zdq4ZHad

41. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
41
•The modulesCarbEFandForestER, developed in the IMPACT
toolbox, allow to link pixel-based maps of forest area change and
of forest degradation to biomass or carbon values in order to
calculate related emissions.
•Biomass valuesmay be defined as fixed values or retrieved for
each pixel from existing biomass maps.
https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/IMPACT
IFORCE – CarbEF and ForestER
•Minimum Forest Unit (MFU)
is a pixel of a regular shape
(e.g. square) and size,
typically 0.5 or 1 ha

42. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
42https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/carbef
IFORCE – CarbEF
•CarbEFis a methodology and softwarefor calculating emissions
from deforestation and degradation.
•See https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/carbeffor the
following: Technical Manual, Presentation, and Main Features.
•Computation uses a grid to allow comparison over a time period.
•Deforestation: Transition from Forest cover to non-Forest Cover
within a Minimum Forest Unit (MFU). Non-Forest cover is assigned
when the tree cover percentage falls below a selected threshold
(typically 30%).
•Degradation: Reduction of forest cover percentage within a MFU
remaining Forest. The tree cover percentage within the MFU
remains higher than a selected threshold (typically 30%).

43. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
43https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/carbef
IFORCE – CarbEF

44. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
44https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/carbef
IFORCE – CarbEF
When one or several (T)
pixels are lost inside a
MFU, the term forest
degradation applies if the
remaining percentage of
tree cover is above the
threshold of the minimum
percentage required by
the forest definition, and
the term deforestation
applies if the tree cover is
brought below this
percentage.

45. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
IFORCE – Deforestation & Degradation Identification
45

46. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
46https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/carbef
IFORCE – CO
2 Emission

47. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
47
•The Forest Emission Reporting (ForestER) module supports the
estimation of carbon emissions from deforestation and forest
degradation.
•The ForestERperforms a pixel-based calculation of emissions,
using as input pixel-based forest maps at time1 and time2, as well
as a pixel-based map of forest degradation.
•ForestERaccommodates forest type and related biomass classes.
https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/forester
IFORCE – ForestER

48. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
48
The ForestERmodule requires the following input:
1.Forest Map at Time 1 & 2: maps of forest cover status in raster
format. A raster graphicrepresents a two-dimensional picture as
a rectangular matrix or grid of pixels.
2.Disturbance map (optional): a binary (0-1) map of forest canopy
cover disturbances.
3.Biomass map (t/ha)
•existing biomass maps in raster format.
•constant biomass value per forest type as defined by the user
https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/forester
IFORCE – ForestER

49. Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
Review Questions
49
1.Define IFORCE (International Forest Resources and Carbon Emissions) and describe its
primary purpose.
2.Describe the IMPACT Toolbox and explain its methodology for estimating deforested
or degraded forest areas.
3.Define MFU within the context of the IMPACT Toolbox and elucidate its application in
identifying forestation and degradation.
4.Detail the process by which CO
2 emissions are calculated using the IMPACT Toolbox.

50. Calculation of Emission from Forests Fires
Forest Fires Emissions: Concept
50
Emissions = (Burned Area) x (Fuel Load) x (Combustion
Completeness) x (Emission Factor)
•Burned Area: This can be done using satellite imagery, aerial
surveys, or ground-based observations.
•Fuel Load: This varies depending on the forest type, vegetation
density, and other factors.
•Combustion Completeness: Estimate the percentage of the
available fuel that was actually consumed by the fire. This also
varies depending on fire intensity, weather conditions, and fuel
characteristics.
•Emission Factors: Emission factors vary depending on the type of
vegetation burned and the combustion conditions.

51. Calculation of Emission from Forests Fires
Forest Fires Emissions: Concept
51
1.Estimating Burned Area:
•Remote Sensing: satellite imagery
•Surveys: ground surveys
2.Estimating Fuel Load:
•Fuel Type: amounts of biomass (fuel) per unit area (information
on forest composition)
•Amount of Biomass: measurements or existing databases
3.Combustion Completeness: how much of the available fuel is
consumed by the fire.
4.Calculating Emissions using Emission Factors (amount of a
particular pollutant released per unit of fuel burned)

52. Calculation of Emission from Forests Fires
52
•The quantity of dry biomass of given vegetation specie burnt is given
from: M
i = α A
i B
i
where:
i vegetation specie,
A
i area (in hectares) of fired surface covered by the i specie,
B
i average quantity of dry biomass (tons for hectare) for i specie,
α efficiency of the fire or fraction destroyed biomass (in case of complete
fire α = 1).
•As an Example, Table in below shows a list of corps together with
average quantity of biomass for every crop in a forest.
See Ref 2 in References List at end of the presentation/
Fuel Load

53. Calculation of Emission from Forests Fires
53
•Quantity of emitted carbon(in tons) C = β M
where β is carbon quantity in biomass (can be set at 0.45)
•Quantity of emitted nitrogen(in tons) N = ϒM
where ϒis the nitrogen quantity in the biomass (can be set at
0.0045).
•Emissions of CO, CO
2and CH
4(in tons): E
j= ε
jδ
jC
where j is the compound, ε
j is the fraction of total carbon emitted
as compound j, δ
j is the factor of passage from the emission in
tons of Carbon to the emission in tons of the specific compound.
See Table in below for values of ε
jand δ
j.
See Ref 2 in References List at end of the presentation/
Emissions Calculations

54. Calculation of Emission from Forests Fires
54
•Emissions of nitrogen compounds(in tons):E
j= ε
jδ
jN
where j is the compound, ε
j is the fraction of total nitrogen
emitted as compound j, δ
j is the factor of passage from the
emission in tons of Carbon the specific compound.
See Table in below for values of ε
jand δ
j.
See Ref 2 in References List at end of the presentation/
Table 2. Factors for the calculation of the emissions of Carbon compounds.
Table 3. Factors for the calculation of the emissions of Nitrogen compounds.
Emissions Calculations

55. Calculation of Emission from Forests Fires
55
•Emissions of Particulate Matter with diameter inferior to 10 micron,
PM
10for coherence with the preceding cases, the emissions (in
tons) are obtained as:
E
j= ε
jN
where
j is the fraction of Total Suspended Particulate with diameter
inferior to 10 microns,
ε
jis the fraction of total particulate emitted as fraction j (can be set
at 0.73).
See Ref 2 in References List at end of the presentation/
Emissions Calculations

56. Calculation of Emission from Forests Fires
56
Example of Calculations – Emitted Carbon & Nitrogen
Corps Biomass,
Bi
(t/ha)
Fire Area,
Ai (hectare)
α Efficiency
of the fire
Quantity
Burnt, Mi
(ton)
Carbon
in
Biomass,
β
Emitted
Carbon
(ton)
Nitrogen
in
Biomass,
ϒ
Emitted
Nitrogen
(ton)
Resinous Tall Stem295 2,000 1 590,0000.45265,5000.00452,655
Deciduous Tall Stem250 2,000 0.7 350,0000.45157,5000.00451,575
Mixed Tall Stem 225 2,000 0.6 270,0000.45121,5000.00451,215
Simplex Coppice 175 2,000 1 350,0000.45157,5000.00451,575
Mixed Coppice 185 2,000 1 370,0000.45166,5000.00451,665
Mediterranean Bush50 2,000 1 100,0000.4545,0000.0045450

57. Calculation of Emission from Forests Fires
57
Example of Calculations – CO, CO
2 & CH
4
Corps Emitted
Carbon
(ton)
CO CO
2 CH
4
ε δ Emission
(ton)
ε δ Emission
(ton)
ε δEmission
(ton)
Resinous Tall
Stem
265,5000.12.3361,9500.8883.67864,4680.0121.334,248
Deciduous Tall
Stem
157,5000.12.3336,7500.8883.67512,8200.0121.332,520
Mixed Tall
Stem
121,5000.12.3328,3500.8883.67395,6040.0121.331,944
Simplex
Coppice
157,5000.12.3336,7500.8883.67512,8200.0121.332,520
Mixed Coppice166,5000.12.3338,8500.8883.67542,1240.0121.332,664
Mediterranean
Bush
45,0000.12.3310,5000.8883.67146,5200.0121.33720
Total 913,500 213,150 2,974,356 14,616

58. Calculation of Emission from Forests Fires
58
Example of Calculations: N
2O, NO
x & PM
10
Corps Emitted
Nitrogen, N
(ton)
Nitrogen Oxide, N
2O Nitrogen Protoxide, NO
x PM
10
ε δ Emission
(ton)
ε δ Emission
(ton)
εEmission
(ton)
Resinous Tall
Stem
2,6550.0071.57 29.210.0122.14 68.270.731,938
Deciduous Tall
Stem
1,5750.0071.57 17.330.0122.14 40.500.731,150
Mixed Tall Stem1,2150.0071.57 13.370.0122.14 31.240.73887
Simplex Coppice1,5750.0071.57 17.330.0122.14 40.500.731,150
Mixed Coppice1,6650.0071.57 18.320.0122.14 42.810.731,215
Mediterranean
Bush
450 0.0071.57 4.950.0122.14 11.570.73329
Total 9,135 100.49 234.900.736,669

59. Calculation of Emission from Forests Fires
Review Questions
59
1.Identify and describe the key factors influencing emissions from forest fires.
2.Describe methods for estimating the burned area in a forest fire.
3.Define 'fuel load' in the context of forest fires.
4.Explain how fuel load is quantified and characterized in forest fire studies.
5.Describe the methods used to estimate the quantity of dry biomass consumed in a
forest fire.
6.Define 'fire efficiency' in the context of forest fires.
7.Explain the process of calculating the amount of carbon and nitrogen released during a
forest fire.
8.Describe the methods for calculating the emissions of CO, CO₂, and CH₄ from a forest
fire.
9.Explain the process of calculating the emissions of N₂O and NOₓ from a forest fire.
10.Define PM
10 and describe the methods used to measure or estimate its concentration
in forest fire emissions.

60. References
References
60
The following references are in addition to others indicated in footnotes of some
slides.
1.CarbEF: a software for reporting carbon emissions from deforestation and
forest degradation under REDD+, Technical report by the Joint Research
Centre (JRC), the European Commission’s science and knowledge service,
2018.
2.Carlo Trozzi, Rita Vaccaro, Enzo Piscitello, Emissions estimate from forest fires:
methodology, software and European case studies, April 2002 Conference:
Emission Inventories - Partnering for the Future - April 15 - 18, 2002 in
Atlanta, Georgia, USA sponsored by: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
3.https://ourworldindata.org/deforestation
4.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest
5.https://adria-balkan.fsc.org/en/forest-
ecosystems/world#:~:text=The%20world%20has%20a%20total,and%2
0subtropical%20(11%25)%20domains.

61. References
References (… continued)
61
6.https://www.musimmas.com/resources/blogs/how-do-forests-
sequester-and-absorb-carbon/
7.https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/deforestation/
8.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation
9.https://ourworldindata.org/world-lost-one-third-forests
10.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_degradation
11.https://www.live-eo.com/article/what-is-forest-degradation-definition-
causes-and-mitigation-under-eudr
12.https://ourworldindata.org/deforestation
13.https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-
america/brazil/stories-in-brazil/deforestation-and-climate-
change/#:~:text=Trees%20not%20only%20absorb%20carbon,release
d%20and%20less%20is%20absorbed.

62. References
References (… continued)
62
14.https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/whats-redd-and-will-
it-help-tackle-climate-
change/#:~:text=Land%20use%20change%2C%20principally%20defor
estation,also%20contribute%20to%20these%20emissions.
15.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfire
16.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364756981_Impact_of_Forest
_Fire_on_Forest_Ecosystem
17.https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-04033-y
18.https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/managing-fire
19.https://www.britannica.com/science/forest-fire
20.https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/forests/forest-fires_en
21.https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/
22.https://chat.deepseek.com/

63. References
References (… continued)
63
23.https://gemini.google.com/app
24.https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/carbon_emissions#:~:text
=Estimating%20emissions%20from%20deforestation%20or,emissions
%20expressed%20in%20tC%2Fha.
25.https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/carbon_emissions#:~:text
=Estimating%20emissions%20from%20deforestation%20or,emissions
%20expressed%20in%20tC%2Fha.
26.https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
27.https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15jfY4PeCxU-
lPG07EekpfF78zdq4ZHad
28.https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/IMPACT
29.https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/carbef
30.https://forobs.jrc.ec.europa.eu/methodologies/forester

64. Discussion
64
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