Global fire emissions estimates during 1997–2016
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Implication
Global fire emissions patterns are quantified from 1997 to 2016, indicating significant impacts of small fires.
Key Points
- To quantify global fire emissions and analyze changes due to various environmental drivers from 1997 to 2016.
- Developed the fourth version of the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED4) using advanced modeling techniques.
- Incorporated new estimates of burned areas, including small fires, and optimized fuel consumption parameters based on field data.
- Utilized a higher spatial resolution model and updated emission factors for trace gases and aerosols.
- Global mean carbon emissions during 1997–2016 were 2.2 Pg C yr−1, peaking in 1997 at 3.0 Pg C yr−1 and reaching a low of 1.8 Pg C yr−1 in 2013.
- Emissions estimates were 11% higher than previous estimates (GFED3), primarily due to a 37% increase in burned area from small fires.
- Excluding small fire data, average emissions dropped to 1.5 Pg C yr−1, showing significant regional differences in emissions.
Cite This Study
Werf et al. (2017) studied this question.