Abstract

SILVA, Tiago Pereira da et al. Estimate of Atmospheric Emissions Originated by Wildfires in Portugal. Silva Lus. [online]. 2006, vol.14, n.2, pp.239-263. ISSN 0870-6352.

Terrestrial ecosystems are an important component of the global biogeochemical carbon cycle. However, considerable uncertainties remain regarding the magnitude of carbon exchanges between the land surface and the atmosphere. Vegetation fires are an important source of emissions of carbon and other chemical compounds, whose magnitudes must be estimated. The present study encompasses the 1990s and introduces approaches to quantify atmospheric emissions from wildfires in Portugal, thus contributing towards reducing uncertainties associated with land-atmosphere exchanges. We compiled data for area burned, mean biomass per land cover type, combustion factors and emission factors. The values obtained for greenhouse gas emissions varied from a minimum of 0,474 Mt CO₂ eq. in 1997 to a maximum of 3,869 Mt CO₂ eq. in 1998. We developed a linear regression model to estimate emissions from burned and calculated that 7,39 Mt CO₂ eq. were released during the extremely sever fire season of 2003.

Keywords : wildfires; atmospheric emissions; greenhouse gases; biomass.

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