New Delhi: Since 2001, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions from forest fires surged by 60 per cent, according to a new study. As per the University of East Anglia (UEA) study, the forest fires tripled in some of the major climate-sensitive northern boreal forests. The study was published in the Science journal.
While the research was done, the world was categorised into ‘pyrosomes’. The findings also revealed the differences between forest and non-forest fires. As per the study, emissions from fires in the large pyrosome, including boreal forests in Eurasia and North America, increased nearly threefold from 2001 to 2023.
In this article, let us look at what the study further reveals.
What factors led to the rise of Carbon Dioxide emissions from forest fires?
The Geographical Shift
Due to a geographical shift, forest fires have increased. The carbon combustion rate from these fires has increased by 47 per cent in all forest areas.
More Fuel Consumption
With more forest fires, fuel consumption has risen. As per the study, “Extreme examples of carbon combustion per unit area have been recorded during recent extreme wildfire episodes and tied to extremes in fire-favourable weather, whereas our findings support a more general trend toward increases in fuel consumption in forests.”.
12 Forest Ecoregion Pyrosomes
The study used machine learning to compare forest fires with non-forest fires worldwide and organised the findings into 12 different forest areas.
Note: What is Pyrome: Regions where forest fire patterns are affected by similar factors, such as human, environmental, and climatic changes, are known as ‘Pyromes’.
Fires outside of the tropics
Since 2001, forest fires outside the tropics have steadily emitted more carbon annually. The study further revealed that half a billion tonnes of carbon dioxide are released yearly. The increase is also due to more burned areas and more severe wildfires.
Forest Fires Recorded Between 2019 and 2023
The research focused between 2019 and 2023 on major forest fires in Canada, Australia, North America and Eurasia. The findings found that more extreme forest fires are happening, endangering the health and stability of different forests. It is also harming important ecosystem services like carbon capture and storage.
Anthropogenic Climate Change
The study identifies anthropogenic climate change as a key driver behind the surge in forest fires. This phenomenon leads to more frequent and severe droughts, which result in favourable weather conditions for fires, commonly called “fire weather”.
Increased Hot and Dry Conditions
The research notes that heightened hot and dry conditions have contributed to prolonged periods of low fuel moisture, which create ideal circumstances for wildfires, particularly in ecosystems abundant with vegetation biomass. Additionally, an increase in lightning frequency has been identified as a major factor in igniting forest fires, especially in high-altitude forest areas.
Scientist Concerns
Rising carbon emissions from forest fires are causing scientists to be concerned. These emissions may affect the accuracy of carbon accounting efforts and the greenhouse gas inventories submitted to international bodies such as the United Nations.
What did lead author have to say?
Lead author Matthew Jones from Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research of the University of East Anglia (UEA), “Our findings underscore the urgency for policymakers and environmental agencies to prioritise climate mitigation and proactive forest management strategies to protect these critical ecosystems from the accelerating threat of wildfires.”
