Fire‐Induced Carbon Loss and Tree Mortality in Siberian Larch Forests

Abstract Climate change is intensifying the fire regime across Siberia, with the potential to alter carbon combustion and post‐fire carbon re‐accumulation trajectories. Few field‐based estimates of fire severity (e.g., carbon combustion and tree mortality) exist in Siberian larch forests (Larix spp....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical Research Letters
Main Authors: Elizabeth E. Webb, Heather D. Alexander, Alison K. Paulson, Michael M. Loranty, Jennie DeMarco, Anna C. Talucci, Valentin Spektor, Nikita Zimov, Jeremy W. Lichstein
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024
Subjects:
Geophysics. Cosmic physics
QC801-809
Arctic
Climate change
Subarctic
Siberia
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL105216
https://doaj.org/article/bb888df52cd14980b97aaf3051d9b58b
Description
Summary:Abstract Climate change is intensifying the fire regime across Siberia, with the potential to alter carbon combustion and post‐fire carbon re‐accumulation trajectories. Few field‐based estimates of fire severity (e.g., carbon combustion and tree mortality) exist in Siberian larch forests (Larix spp.), which limits our ability to project how an intensified fire regime will affect regional and global climate feedbacks. Here, we present field‐based estimates of fire‐induced tree mortality and carbon loss in eastern Siberian larch forests. Our results suggest that fires in this region result in high tree mortality (means of 83% and 76% at Arctic and subarctic sites, respectively). In both absolute and relative terms, aboveground carbon loss following fire is higher in Siberian larch forests than in North America, but belowground carbon loss is considerably lower. This suggests fundamental differences in wildfire behavior and carbon dynamics between dominant vegetation types across the boreal biome.

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