Deforestation-driven gross emissions (OLD GROWTH FORESTS)

The table below shows gross emissions estimates of 1st and 2nd order for deforestation areas in the Brazilian Cerrado according to the PRODES Cerrado Data. The estimates use spatially explicit data and detailed parameters below.

For the estimates of 2nd Order, the total time scale of the model is from 1850 to 2018, as the effects of the emissions from decomposition of the previous years are considered. The 2nd Order of emissions estimates have an attenuated response in relation to deforestation rate fluctuations, as they carry the influence of historical emissions, i.e. the decomposition/ burning processes of the remaining biomass of deforestation occurred in previous years. The 2nd Order estimates are therefore more accurate and have greater scientific basis for studies on the carbon cycle. The 1st Order estimates are typically used to report emissions in a more simple and intuitive way. Estimates for the entire period and for all gases are available for download.

The parameters adopted in the model are based on the definitions of Brito et al. (2019). Click here to download from the table below.

Although the biomass data represent the largest source of uncertainty for emission estimates (Aguiar et al., 2012, Ometto et al. 2014, Michard et al, 2014), the definition of all the other parameters mentioned above also bring uncertainties. Scientific advances are required to support the improvement of the parametrization in Amazon and other regions.