Fire in the Anthropocene Flashcards
What gases are released during burning? (5)
CO2, CH4, N2O, aerosols and water vapour
Why are aerosols positive?
Can reduce transmission of solar energy to the land
Why are greenhouse gases negative?
Can increase transmission of solar energy to the land
What can extremely intense fires trigger the development of?
Pyrocumulonimbus storms
Why are pyrocumulonimbus storms positive?
They can inject aerosols into the atmosphere and transport them globally
Why are pyrocumulonimbus storms negative?
Encourages lightning and ground strikes igniting new fires
What is soot?
Black carbon
What is the affect of soot?
Prevents precipitations and inhibits cloud formation.
Reduces albedo and increases snow and ice melt
How long has fire been a natural feature of the Earth system?
420 million years
What percentage of emissions are due to savanna and grassland fires?
65%
What percentage of emissions is related to boreal forest fires?
10%
What percentage of emissions is associated with clearing tropical rainforest for pasture?
20%
