Savanna burning methodology for fire management and emissions reduction: a critical review of influencing factors.

Greg Griffiths,Tek Narayan Maraseni,Kathryn Reardon-Smith,Armando Apan

doi:10.1186/s13021-016-0067-4

Greg Griffiths, Tek Narayan Maraseni

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13021-016-0067-4

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Abstract

Savanna fire is a major source of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Australia, savanna fire contributes about 3% of annual GHG emissions reportable to the Kyoto Protocol. In order to reduce GHG emissions from savanna burning, the Australian government has developed and approved a Kyoto compliant savanna controlled burning methodology—the first legal instrument of this kind at a global level—under its Emission Reduction Fund. However, this approved methodology is currently only applicable to nine vegetation fuel types across northern parts of Australia in areas which receive on average over 600 mm rainfall annually, covering only 15.4% of the total land area in Australia. Savanna ecosystems extend across a large proportion of mainland Australia. This paper provides a critical review of ten key factors that need to be considered in developing a savanna burning methodology applicable to the other parts of Australia. It will also inform discussion in other countries intent on developing similar emissions reduction strategies.

Highlights

Savannas, tropical and sub-tropical vegetation formations with continuous grass cover and occasional trees and shrubs [1], extend over more than 16% of the world’s land surface and contribute some 30% of total land-based net primary production [2]
The current methodology is applicable to only nine vegetation fuel types and cannot be applied to other vegetation fuel types in Australia. This study identifies those factors that need to be considered to enable a savanna burning methodology to be developed for southern parts of Australia, in general, and sub-tropical and temperate grasslands, savannas and shrublands, in particular, which exhibit different vegetation fuel types and are subject to different climatic conditions
The Australian government is at the forefront in this area and has developed a credible savanna burning methodology for tropical parts of Australia which has been taken up by landowners in order to receive Australian Carbon Credit Units under the Australian Government’s Emission Reduction Fund

Summary

Introduction

Tropical and sub-tropical vegetation formations with continuous grass cover and occasional trees and shrubs [1], extend over more than 16% of the world’s land surface and contribute some 30% of total land-based net primary production [2]. Realising the benefits of EDS burning, the Australian government has developed and approved a Kyoto compliant savanna burning methodology under its emissions reduction funds (ERFs), allowing farmers and land managers to earn carbon credits by reducing methane and nitrous oxide emissions on the land [13, 17].

Results

Conclusion