Quantification of greenhouse gas emissions from the 2024 wildfire in Cocó State Park using remote sensing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62059/LatArXiv.preprints.658Keywords:
Blue carbon, Severity, Climate changeAbstract
Urban mangroves constitute strategic Blue Carbon ecosystems, playing a relevant role in climate change mitigation. However, when disturbed by wildfires, these environments can rapidly shift from carbon sinks to sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aimed to estimate GHG emissions associated with the 2024 fire event in Cocó State Park (PEC), Fortaleza, Brazil. The methodology integrated high-resolution remote sensing data (PlanetScope, 3 m) to delineate the burned area and stratify fire severity, combined with the equations proposed by the IPCC guidelines. Emissions of CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, CO, and NOx were calculated based on burned area, biomass load, combustion factors, and emission factors specific to mangrove forests and other vegetation types. The results indicate that the fire resulted in a total release of 507.5 t of CO₂, with the “Other Vegetation” class accounting for approximately 60% of total emissions due to the high combustion efficiency of dry biomass. In contrast, mangrove areas exhibited a higher relative contribution of methane (CH₄), associated with incomplete combustion processes. Moderate fire severity accounted for approximately 87% of total emissions, highlighting that the spatial extent of burned areas was the primary driver of climatic impact. It is concluded that the integration of high-resolution remote sensing and ecosystem-specific biophysical parameters is essential for accurate GHG inventories in urban coastal ecosystems, providing robust technical support for preventive fire management and the protection of Blue Carbon stocks.
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