Canadian Forest Service Publications
Development of a prototype modeling system to estimate the GHG mitigation potential of forest and wildfire management
Year: 2023
Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 40877
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-017-0043-3
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Abstract
Having recently experienced the three worst wildfire seasons in British Columbia's history in 2017, 2018 and 2021, and anticipating more severe impacts in the future, a key Carbon (C) research priority is to develop reliable models to explore options and identify a portfolio of regionally differentiated solutions for wildfire and forest management. We contribute to this effort by developing a prototype integrated C modeling framework which includes future wildfires that respond to forest stand characteristics and wildfire history. Model validation evaluated net GHG emissions relative to a ‘do-nothing’ baseline for several management scenarios and included emissions from forest ecosystems, harvested wood products and substitution benefits from avoided fossil fuel burning and avoided emissions-intensive materials. Data improvements are needed to accurately quantify the baseline and scenario GHG emissions, and to identify trade-offs and uncertainties. • A Fire Tolerant scenario included post-fire restoration with planting of climatically suitable fire-resistant species and salvage harvest in place of clearcut harvest.