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Framework for a savanna burning emissions abatement methodology applicable to fire-prone miombo woodlands in southern Africa
Abstract
Background & Aims: to assess development of a robust emissions accounting framework pertinent to expansive miombo woodland savannas covering ~2M km2 of southern Africa which typically are burnt under relatively severe late dry season (LDS—post-July) conditions. Methods: a detailed site-based study of fuel accumulation, combustion, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission factor parameters under both early dry season (EDS) and LDS conditions, along a central rainfall-productivity and associated miombo vegetation structural and floristics gradient, from lower rainfall (~500 mm MAR) sites in northern Botswana to higher rainfall (~1500 mm MAR) sites in northern Zambia. Key results: assembled field data inform core components of the proposed emissions reduction framework: fuel and combustion conditions sampled across the vegetation/productivity gradient can be represented by three defined Vegetation Fuel Types (VFTs); fuel accumulation, combustion, and emissions parameters are presented for respective VFTs. Applying this framework for an illustrative case study site, GHG emissions (t.CO2-e) from EDS fires were about one third to half those of LDS fires per unit area in eligible miombo VFTs. Conclusions: our accounting framework supports undertaking of EDS fire management to significantly reduce emissions and, realistically, burnt extent at landscape scales. In discussion, we consider application of presented data to development of formal emissions abatement accounting methods, linkages with potential complementary woody biomass and soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration approaches, and necessary caveats concerning implementation issues.
WF23193 Accepted 13 April 2024
© CSIRO 2024
