Analysis of Carbon Dioxide Emission from Forest Fires based on Fire Radiative Power in Riau

Abstract

Riau is one of the susceptible regions in Indonesia, which faces frequent land and forest fires. Fires occur in various land covers and soil types, both peat and mineral soils, which emitted huge carbon to the atmosphere. Forest fires emit greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂). The objective of the research was to quantify CO₂ from land and forest fires. The quantification emission was for 2016 – 2018 based on the fire radiant power (FRP) dataset along with the buffer methodology for assessing fire-affected land extents across different land covers. The FRP dataset we used to be only at a confidence level of 70% or higher, which represents hotspots. The results revealed large numbers of FRP focal points (> 1000) that can be identified as fires for 2016 and 2018, whereas only small numbers (121) were identified for 2017. Then we quantified the area burned of 95,396 Ha in Riau for 2016, which was double to the 2018’s area burned. Further, this burning contributed to CO₂ emission equal to 313,456 tCO₂  for 2016. Emission in 2017 was a relatively low as not many observed fires detected.