CENTRE ON THE PROBLEMS OF ECOLOGY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF FORESTS

RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

O. G. Chertov, A. S. Komarov, A. V. Gryazkin, A. P. Smirnov, D. S. Bhatti Simulation modelling of forest fire impact on the carbon pool in coniferous forests of European Russia and Central Canada // Forest Science (Lesovedenie). 2012. No 2. С.03-10.

The data on the long-term simulation of the dynamics of coniferous forest ecosystems (European Russia and Central Canada) with different forest fire scenarios using the EFIMOD model are presented. All the kinds of fires are shown to decrease the stand height and density, DBH, growing stock, and soil organic matter pool in the simulated forests of Russia and Canada as compared to clear cuttings without fires. The long-term reduction of net biological productivity was also found. The maximal carbon losses were after crown fires and ground fires after clear cutting. In Russia, a negative carbon balance with a carbon loss from forest ecosystems was simulated only for a case of crown fires with cutting the burned wood. In other cases, there is a slight carbon sequestration. In Canada, all fires lead to a negative carbon balance with maximum carbon losses at crown fires with cutting the burned wood. These differences reflect the influence of the milder climate of European Russia as compared to the effect of the extracontinental climate of Central Canada. In addition, the high atmospheric nitrogen deposition in European Russia also plays a positive part.

Simulation modeling, models of forested ecosystems, EFIMOD model, forest fires, carbon pools, taiga ecosystems, coniferous forests, European Russia, Central Canada..

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