Studies Foresee Dilemma Over Forest Carbon Storage

An article by Kashian et.al. (2006 Bioscience 56:598-606) shows a trend for carbon storage after fire much different than stated by Harmon. The authors estimate that forests in the Yellowstone ecosystem produced a net loss of C to the atmosphere for 40 years following the 1988 fires. Even after becoming a net sink for C, they estimate it will take the forests 200+ years to gain back all the C lost during the fire and the following 40 years.

It's true that fires do not consume forests, but they do kill them; and after death comes decay and carbon release to the atmosphere. When assessing carbon payoff for an investment in fire prevention, you must look at a long timeframe and consider carbon losses after the fire.

Bruce Meneghin of CO 12:37PM July 10, 2009