Direct and longer-term carbon emissions from arctic-boreal fires: A short review of recent advances
Sander Veraverbeke, Clement J. F. Delcourt, Elena A. Kukavskaya, Michelle C. Mack, Xanthe J. Walker, Thomas D. Hessilt, Brendan M. Rogers, Rebecca C. Scholten
Abstract
Increases in arctic-boreal fires can switch these biomes from a long-term carbon (C) sink to a source of atmospheric C through direct fire emissions and longer-term emissions from soil respiration. We here review advances made by the arctic-boreal fire science community over the last three years. Landscapes of intermediate drainage tend to experience the highest C combustion, dominated by soil C emissions, because of relatively thick and periodically dry organic soils. These landscapes may also induce a climate warming feedback through combustion and postfire respiration of legacy C, including from permafrost thaw and degradation. Legacy C is soil C that had escaped burning in the previous fire. Data shortages from fires in tundra ecosystems and Eurasian boreal forests limit our understanding of C emissions from arctic-boreal fires. Interactions between fire, topography, vegetation, soil, and permafrost need to be considered when estimating climate feedbacks of arctic-boreal fires.