Redistribution and emission of forest carbon by planned burning in Eucalyptus obliqua (L. Hérit.) forest of south-eastern Australia

Abstract

We applied standard forest inventory and soil sampling techniques to estimate carbon stocks in aboveground forest components and belowground in soil and fine roots to 30cm depth before, and immediately after, low intensity planned burning. Three areas within Eucalyptus obliqua forest that had not been burnt for more than 20years were sampled and, based on the calculated mass of components prior to and immediately following burning, the redistribution of carbon within the forest and carbon emission from the forest to the atmosphere were estimated. Of the 165Mg C ha-1 in aboveground components, about 7.8Mg C ha-1 was redistributed through accession of tree components to the forest floor and de..