Estimating release of carbon from 1990 and 1991 forest fires in Alaska

The location and areal extent of fires in this region for 1990 and 1991 were based on both field observations and analysis of satellite (advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR)) data sets. Estimates of average carbon release for the two study years ranged between 2.54 and 3.00 kg m-2, which are 2.2 to 2.6 times greater than estimates used in other studies of carbon release through biomass burning in boreal forests. Total average annual carbon release for the two years ranged between 0.012 and 0.018 Pg C yr-1, with the lower value resulting from the AVHRR estimates of fire location and area. -Authors

Duke Scholars

Author Norman L. Christensen Environmental Sciences and Policy