Integrated fire management in Cerrado as a tool for environmental conservation, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and social development

• Grant number: 20/06470-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2020
• End date: January 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Principal Investigator: Celso von Randow
• Grantee: Renata Moura da Veiga
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/13322-5 - The potential of integrated fire management in reducing greenhouse gases emissions from fire in the Brazilian cerrado, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Since the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, the increase in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere has been recognized as an aggravator of climate change, which has led to the emergence of global environmental agreements. Fire, being a GHG emitter, is an important element in the carbon fluxes between the biosphere and the atmosphere, especially in fire-dependent ecosystems, such as the Cerrado. The recognition of the role of fire in carbon emissions and the negative impacts of fire suppression activities has led to a change in the way in which this element is managed, giving rise to the so-called Integrated Fire Management (IFM). In different parts of the world, mainly in the Australian and African savannas, IFM projects are proving efficient, bringing additional social benefits to the reduction of GHG emissions. In the Cerrado, IFM projects are implemented, and the Cerrado-Jalapão project is an example of success. Thus, the present work aims to estimate, based on the INPE-EM modeling framework and examples from abroad, GHG emissions from IFM activities in Cerrado-Jalapão, comparing them with historical forest fire emissions in the area. It is expected that the emission of IFM activities will be lower than the historical one, and this difference will be valued and transformed into carbon units for the purpose of being sold in the national and international carbon markets. Finally, this work also aims to assess the impacts of IFM on the social development of participating communities. (AU)