A Chinese research team has used data from the Fengyun-3D satellite’s global fire spot monitoring to measure global carbon emissions from open biomass burning (OBB) and create a high-resolution daily inventory of OBB emissions.
The study, conducted by the Aerospace Information Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was published in the journal *Earth System Science Data*.
OBB, which includes forest, grassland, shrub, and crop residue fires, is a significant source of global carbon emissions. It is characterized by its periodicity, randomness, multiple sources, wide impact, and monitoring challenges.
Accurately measuring carbon emissions from OBB is crucial for understanding terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycles and is vital for assessing global and regional carbon budgets.
Furthermore, emissions from OBB are key inputs for atmospheric chemical transport models, and precise emission inventories enhance the accuracy of these models.
Therefore, scientifically accurate calculation of OBB carbon emissions is essential for understanding terrestrial carbon cycles and atmospheric carbon levels.
The study estimated the global average annual OBB carbon emissions from various regions and fire types for the years 2020 and 2022. Southern Africa emerged as the top source, contributing 850 million tonnes annually. This was followed by southern South America, northern Africa, and Southeast Asia, with emissions of 530 million, 390 million, and 200 million tonnes per year, respectively.
The study also detailed the contributions of different fire types to global OBB emissions. Savanna grassland fires were the largest contributor, averaging 1.21 billion tonnes of carbon annually, accounting for 46.7 percent of the total. This was followed by shrub fires and tropical forest fires, contributing 33 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively.
This detailed analysis not only reveals the specific impacts of different fire types on carbon emissions but also underscores the need for targeted control measures for each type.
Shi Yusheng, the study’s corresponding author, stated, “The study introduces new methods for accurately quantifying the impact of global OBB emissions on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.”
Shi further noted that the research provides essential scientific evidence for managing OBB and offers valuable guidance for environmental policies focused on ecological management and coordinated carbon reduction.
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