Estimation of Gas Emission from Fuel Burning in Mixed Deciduous Forest and Dry Dipterocarp Forest

Main Article Content

Woraphun Himmapan
Samreong Panuthai
Narin Tedson

Abstract

Gas emissions were estimated from burning mixed deciduous forest in Kanchanaburi province and dry dipterocarp forest in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The objectives were to study the greenhouse gases emitted during burning and to calculate the fuel load loss after burning. Three 20 m x 20 m plots were established using a completely randomized design in each forest type. Four 1 m x 1 m subplots inside each sample plot were selected to study the fuel bed properties, which were determined before and after burning. Samples of each fuel type were collected to analyze the moisture content, fuel load, fuel consumption and carbon content.  Smoke compositions were also measured during burning using a Flue Gas Analyzer (Testo-350XL). Carbon losses were calculated from the fuel load loss.  


The results revealed a smoke composition that included carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen (O2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The concentrations of these gases during burning in the mixed deciduous forest were 80.23 ppm, 20.77%, 0.37 ppm, 2.23 ppm, 0.09 ppm and 2.31 ppm, respectively. Concentrations of the same gases from fuel burning in the dry dipterocarp forest were 22.98 ppm, 20.77%, 0.31 ppm, 1.11 ppm, 0.16 ppm and 1.28 ppm. Carbon emissions from one hectare each in the mixed deciduous forest and the dry dipterocarp forest were analyzed and the carbon in the fuel after burning was 0.973 ton and 2.069 ton, respectively. The use of controlled fire or prescribed fire is important for reducing the hazardous build-up of dead fuels on the forest floor. This, in turn, reduces the risk of damaging, high-intensity wildfires. However, an alternative to burning, such as removing or reducing fuels by mechanical, biological or chemical treatments, or using the fuel to provide electricity or to produce fertilizer are recommended.


 


Keywords:  gas emissions, burning, fuel, mixed deciduous forest, dry dipterocarp forest

Article Details

How to Cite
Himmapan, W. . ., Panuthai, S. . ., & Tedson, N. . (2022). Estimation of Gas Emission from Fuel Burning in Mixed Deciduous Forest and Dry Dipterocarp Forest. Thai Journal of Forestry, 29(1), 12–25. Retrieved from https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tjf/article/view/255751
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Original Articles