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Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Forest Fires

 

The recent study by the Centre for Wildfire Research highlights a significant increase in global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from forest fires, driven largely by climate change and human activities. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings and implications:

Key Findings

1.     Surge in CO₂ Emissions:

o    Global CO₂ emissions from forest fires have surged by 60% since 2001, with boreal forests in Eurasia and North America contributing significantly.

o    Emissions from extratropical forests, those located outside the tropics, have increased due to climate-induced "fire weather" conditions, such as frequent droughts, low humidity, and high temperatures.

2.     Pyromes and Fire Patterns:

o    The study identifies "pyromes," or fire-prone regions, where forest fires follow similar patterns due to factors like climate, vegetation, and human activities.

o    By categorizing forests into 12 pyromes, the study aims to improve understanding of fire dynamics, enabling better fire management and risk assessment.

3.     Increased Fire Severity:

o    There is a 47% rise in the carbon combustion rate, indicating that fires are burning more intensely and consuming more forest biomass.

o    Increased fire severity, combined with dry vegetation, results in more carbon emissions and poses a greater threat to forest carbon stocks.

4.     Climate Change Impact:

o    Climate change has intensified fire conditions through prolonged droughts, high temperatures, and increased lightning strikes, creating a "fire weather" conducive to severe forest fires.

o    As a result, forests that traditionally acted as carbon sinks (absorbing CO₂) are now emitting more carbon, destabilizing global carbon budgets.

5.     Challenges for Carbon Accounting and Carbon Credits:

o    Rising forest fire emissions complicate carbon accounting and greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, as forest fires are increasingly offsetting carbon sink efforts.

o    For instance, Canada’s 2023 wildfires may have released CO₂ equivalent to the carbon storage achieved in its forests over the past decade.

o    This presents a risk for carbon credit schemes and reforestation projects, which depend on reliable estimates of carbon sequestration potential.

Implications for Forest Management and Climate Policy

1.     Environmental Impact:

o    Forest fires destroy biodiversity, degrade ecosystems, and contribute to air pollution by releasing harmful pollutants and particulate matter.

o    Soil degradation is a significant outcome of intense fires, as essential nutrients are lost, affecting soil fertility and disrupting ecosystems.

2.     Human and Economic Costs:

o    Local communities suffer from the loss of resources such as timber and food, as well as health issues due to air pollution and heat exposure.

o    The economic burden of fighting fires, restoring damaged infrastructure, and addressing health impacts can be substantial, with forest fires impacting local and national economies.

3.     Challenges in Fire Management:

o    Climate change has made fire management more challenging, with increased fire frequency and intensity overwhelming traditional firefighting resources and strategies.

o    High-intensity fires, such as canopy or crown fires, are harder to control and often spread rapidly, causing greater damage.

The Forest Fire Scenario in India

1.     Vulnerability and Recent Incidents:

o    India’s fire season extends from November to June, with the peak in April-May. Nearly 35% of India’s forests are fire-prone, with high-risk areas in Northeast India, Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand.

o    Recent data show a rise in forest fires in India, with Uttarakhand alone reporting over 1,300 incidents in early 2024, impacting large tracts of forest land.

2.     Government Initiatives:

o    The National Action Plan for Forest Fires (NAPFF) and the Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FPM) aim to reduce fire occurrences and improve state-level firefighting capabilities.

o    The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) provides satellite data for real-time monitoring of forest fires, helping local authorities track and respond to fire outbreaks promptly.

Global and Local Strategies for Forest Fire Management

1.     Integrating Science and Traditional Knowledge:

o    The FAO’s fire management guidelines emphasize the importance of combining scientific knowledge with traditional practices, particularly from Indigenous and local communities, to improve fire prevention and control.

2.     Enhanced Reporting and Carbon Accounting:

o    Improved reporting of forest fire emissions to international bodies, such as the United Nations, is essential to accurately assess global carbon budgets and GHG inventories.

o    Carbon credit schemes need to account for fire risks in carbon sequestration estimates, especially in extratropical regions, to avoid overestimating carbon storage potential.

3.     Sustainable Fire Management:

o    In tropical regions, controlling ignition sources during fire-prone periods and preventing forest fragmentation are crucial for reducing fire risks.

o    In areas with a history of fire suppression, adopting ecologically beneficial fire practices, such as controlled burns, may help prevent high-intensity wildfires by reducing fuel loads.

Conclusion

The increase in CO₂ emissions from forest fires is a serious challenge in the fight against climate change. Forest fires are not only depleting carbon stocks and destabilizing ecosystems but also posing socio-economic risks to communities and countries worldwide. Sustainable forest management, informed by scientific and traditional knowledge, along with accurate carbon accounting, is essential to address the growing impact of forest fires. For India, strengthening monitoring and prevention efforts, particularly in fire-prone areas, is critical to safeguarding its forests and mitigating climate change impacts.

Mains Question

"Discuss the impact of forest fires on climate change and biodiversity, and outline the challenges and strategies for effective forest fire management in India."


Model Answer

Introduction

Forest fires, also known as wildfires or bushfires, are uncontrolled burning of vegetation in forested areas. They play a dual role in ecosystems—while naturally occurring fires can maintain ecological balance, uncontrolled or frequent fires can cause devastating impacts on biodiversity and the climate. With climate change increasing fire risks globally, India faces unique challenges due to its vast, diverse, and fire-prone forests.


Impact of Forest Fires on Climate Change and Biodiversity

1.     Contribution to Climate Change:

o    Carbon Emissions: Forest fires release large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming. The recent study by the Centre for Wildfire Research shows that global CO₂ emissions from forest fires have increased by 60% since 2001.

o    Loss of Carbon Sinks: Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Frequent fires destabilize these carbon stocks, turning forests from carbon sinks into carbon sources, which amplifies the climate crisis.

2.     Impact on Biodiversity:

o    Loss of Habitat: Fires destroy habitats for numerous species, leading to the loss of biodiversity and endangering flora and fauna. Species that are slow to adapt or migrate are particularly vulnerable to forest fires.

o    Soil Degradation: High-intensity fires deplete essential nutrients in the soil, reducing fertility and hindering vegetation recovery. This can result in long-term ecological imbalances and erosion.

o    Air and Water Pollution: Smoke from fires releases particulate matter and toxic compounds, which harm air quality and impact human health. Runoff from burned areas can also pollute water sources, affecting aquatic biodiversity.


Challenges in Managing Forest Fires in India

1.     Climate Change and Fire Weather:

o    Climate change has intensified "fire weather" conditions, including prolonged droughts, high temperatures, and dry winds, creating an environment where fires can easily ignite and spread.

2.     Difficult Terrain and Limited Accessibility:

o    Many of India's forests, such as those in the Northeast and the Himalayas, are located in remote and rugged areas, making firefighting and monitoring challenging.

3.     Resource Constraints:

o    Managing forest fires requires substantial resources, including manpower, equipment, and funding. India’s limited firefighting resources, especially in remote forest areas, hinder effective response and containment.

4.     Human-Induced Fires:

o    Many forest fires in India are caused by human activities, such as shifting cultivation, poaching, and illegal logging. Increasing human encroachment in forests adds to the risk of accidental or deliberate ignitions.

5.     Inadequate Early Warning Systems:

o    While satellite-based systems exist, the lack of localized early warning systems in vulnerable regions hampers timely action, and communication with forest communities is often insufficient.


Strategies for Effective Forest Fire Management

1.     Enhanced Monitoring and Early Warning Systems:

o    Use of Satellite Technology: Collaborating with agencies like ISRO for real-time satellite data enables timely detection of fires. Enhanced monitoring with thermal imaging can help detect even small fires before they escalate.

o    Community-Based Warning Systems: Establishing localized early warning systems in vulnerable regions and engaging local communities in reporting fire outbreaks can lead to faster response times.

2.     Building Resilient Infrastructure:

o    Creating Firebreaks: Constructing firebreaks, or cleared strips of land, can help contain fires and prevent their spread to vulnerable areas.

o    Establishing Forest Fire Control Centers: Setting up regional control centers with trained personnel and necessary equipment in high-risk zones can improve rapid response capabilities.

3.     Promoting Controlled Burning and Indigenous Knowledge:

o    Controlled or Prescribed Burns: Forest agencies can use controlled burning to manage fuel loads and reduce the risk of larger wildfires. These deliberate burns also help maintain ecosystem health.

o    Integrating Traditional Practices: Indigenous communities have valuable knowledge about fire management, including controlled burns and maintaining natural barriers. Integrating this knowledge with modern practices can create effective fire management strategies.

4.     Implementing Policy Measures:

o    National Action Plan for Forest Fires (NAPFF): Launched in 2018, NAPFF focuses on community engagement and awareness to reduce fire occurrences. Scaling up this plan with adequate funding and technological support is essential.

o    Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FPM): This scheme, initiated in 2017, assists states with financial and technical support for fire prevention and management, which needs to be strengthened for greater coverage and effectiveness.

5.     Enhancing Community Awareness and Engagement:

o    Educating Local Communities: Conducting awareness programs on fire prevention and firefighting techniques helps reduce accidental ignitions and promotes community participation.

o    Economic Alternatives: Providing alternative livelihoods to communities dependent on forest resources can reduce practices like shifting cultivation, which often lead to unintended fires.


Conclusion

Forest fires pose a serious threat to India’s biodiversity and climate goals. The increasing intensity and frequency of fires demand a comprehensive approach that combines technology, policy intervention, traditional knowledge, and community participation. By enhancing early warning systems, promoting resilient infrastructure, and implementing sustainable forest management practices, India can better manage and mitigate the impact of forest fires, safeguarding its forests and contributing to global climate resilience.

MCQs for Practice

Q1. With reference to forest fires, consider the following statements:

1.     Forest fires contribute to climate change by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases.

2.     Surface fires are more intense than canopy fires and cause significant damage to mature trees.

3.     Boreal forests in Eurasia and North America have recently seen a significant increase in forest fire emissions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • (a) 1 and 3 only
  • (b) 1 and 2 only
  • (c) 2 and 3 only
  • (d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Canopy or crown fires are more intense than surface fires and can cause more extensive damage to mature trees.


Q2. Which of the following factors contribute to the increase in forest fires worldwide?

1.     Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts due to climate change.

2.     Increased use of controlled burns by forest management authorities.

3.     Higher lightning frequency in high-altitude regions.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • (a) 1 and 2 only
  • (b) 1 and 3 only
  • (c) 2 and 3 only
  • (d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Controlled burns are used by authorities to manage fuel loads and reduce wildfire risks, not to increase fires.


Q3. Which of the following measures can help in effective management and mitigation of forest fires?

1.     Construction of firebreaks in high-risk forest areas.

2.     Establishing early warning systems using satellite data.

3.     Promoting the practice of shifting cultivation in forested regions.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • (a) 1 and 2 only
  • (b) 2 and 3 only
  • (c) 1 and 3 only
  • (d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Shifting cultivation often leads to accidental fires and is not considered a fire mitigation strategy.


Q4. The term "Pyromes" refers to:

  • (a) Distinct fire-prone regions grouped based on fire behavior, climate, and vegetation.
  • (b) A type of surface fire that spreads rapidly due to dry grass and high winds.
  • (c) A prescribed burning technique to reduce fuel loads in tropical forests.
  • (d) A measurement scale used to assess the intensity of forest fires.

Answer: (a) Distinct fire-prone regions grouped based on fire behavior, climate, and vegetation
Explanation: "Pyromes" are zones where forest fires exhibit similar patterns influenced by environmental factors, aiding in fire management and risk assessment.


Q5. With reference to the impact of forest fires on soil, consider the following statements:

1.     High-intensity fires can degrade soil quality by destroying essential nutrients.

2.     Low-intensity surface fires generally improve soil fertility by adding organic matter.

3.     Frequent intense fires can lead to long-term soil erosion and reduced vegetation cover.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • (a) 1 and 3 only
  • (b) 2 and 3 only
  • (c) 1, 2, and 3
  • (d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (c) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation: High-intensity fires degrade soil quality, while low-intensity surface fires can add organic matter, and frequent intense fires cause soil erosion and loss of vegetation.

 

 

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