Skip to main content
Log in

Trace Gas Emissions from Biomass Burning from Northeast Region in India—Estimates from Satellite Remote Sensing Data and GIS

  • Published:
Environmentalist Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Biomass burning associated with shifting cultivation areas from the northeastern region of India is an important source of trace gas emissions in the Southeast Asian region. In the present study, satellite data pertaining to IRS-P4 OCM data and DMSP-OLS has been used to quantify the intensity, areal extent and amount of biomass burnt in the northeastern region states at district level. Trace gas emissions have been quantified both by using IPCC based emission ratios and ground based emission ratios obtained from field based studies. Areal estimates with respect to shifting cultivation areas from IRS-P4 OCM satellite data of 4th April 2000 suggested nearly 112.99 km2 of the northeastern region of India affected due to shifting cultivation. In the study, DMSP OLS nighttime data has been used to capture the real time fires during the dry season. The results suggested high amount of fires during the March season when compared to April and May. Using the emission ratios obtained from the ground-based studies and IPCC emission ratios, the emissions for the individual non-CO2 trace gases have been computed in a GIS framework using the biomass data, combustion factors and emission ratios. Results suggested emissions of 2.063 Mt CH4, 17.94 Mt CO, 1.419 Mt N2O, and 51.28 Mt NO x and 2.643 Mt release of CH4, 3.7204 Mt CO, 0.145 Mt N2O, and 8.477 Mt NO x , respectively, from biomass burning due to shifting cultivation for the year 2000, from the northeastern region in India. The study highlights the importance of Satellite Remote sensing data and GIS in quantifying the trace gas emissions from biomass burning.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahuja, D.R.: 1991, 'Estimating Regional Anthropogenic Emissions of Green House Gases,' in T.N. Khoshoo and M. Sharma (eds.), Indian Geosphere Biosphere, Haranand Publications, New Delhi, pp. 131–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andreae, M.O.: 1991, 'Biomass Burning: Its History, Use, and Distribution and Its Impact on the Environmental Quality and Global Climate,' in J.S. Levine (ed.), Biomass Burning: Atmospheric, Climatic and Biospheric Implications, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA pp. 3–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous: 1977, National Atlas of India, National Atlas Organisation, Calcutta, 234 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cofer, R.W. III, Levine, J.S., Sebacher, D.I., Winstead, E.L., Riggin, P.J., Stocks, B.J., Brass, A., Ambrosia, V.G. and Boston, P.J.: 1989, 'Trace Gas Emissions from Chaparral and Boreal Forest Fires,' J. Geophysical Research 94, 2225–2259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crutzen, P.J. and Carimichael, G.R.: 1993, 'Modeling the Influence of Fires on Atmospheric Chemistry,' in P.J. Crutzen and J.G. Goldammer (eds.), Fire in the Environment. The Ecological, Atmospheric and Climatic Importance of Vegetation Fires, Wiley, pp. 90–105.

  • Crutzen, P.J., Heidt, L.E., Krasnec, J.P., Pullock, W.H. and Sieler, W.: 1979, 'Biomass Burning as a Source of Atmospheric Gases CO, H2, N2O, NO, CHCl3 and COS,' Nature 282, 253–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delmas, R.: 1982, 'On the Emission of Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulphur in Atmosphere during Bushfires in Intertropical SavannaZones,' Geophysical Research Letters 9, 761, 764.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elvidge, C.D., Pack, D., Prins, E., Kihn, E., Baugh, K., Kendall, J., Purdom, J., Weaver, J., Baldwin, D. and Emery, W.: 1997, 'Wildfire Detection with Meteorological Satellite Data: Results from New Mexico during June of 1996 Using GOES,' AVHRR and DMSP-OLS: Report to NOAA-NEESDIS, USA.

  • Gupta, P.K., Krishna Prasad, V., Sharma, C., Sarkar, A.K., Yogesh, K., Badarinath, K.V.S. and Mitra, A.P.: 2001, 'CH4 Emissions from Biomass Burning of Shifting Cultivation Areas of Tropical Deciduous Forests—Experimental Results from Ground Based Measurements,' Chemosphere—Global Change Science 3, 133–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurst, D.F., Griffth, D.W.T. and Cook, G.D.: 1994, 'Trace Gas Emissions from Biomass Burning in Tropical Australian Savannas,' Journal of Geophysical Research 99(D8), 16,441–16,456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishna Prasad, V., Prabhat Gupta, K., Yogesh, K., Sharma, C., Rajagopal, T., Badarinath, K.V.S. and Mitra, A.P.: 2000a, GHG Emissions from Biomass Burning in India—Estimates from Satellite and Ground Based Measurements,' Paper presented at the Workshop on GHG Inventories for the Asia- Pacific Region, March 9- 10, 2000, Shonan Village Center/IGES, Japan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishna Prasad, V., Prabhat Gupta, K., Yogesh, K., Sharma, C., Sarkar, A.K., Badarinath, K.V.S. and Mitra, A.P.: 2000b, 'NOx Emissions from Biomass Burning of Shifting Cultivation Areas from Tropical Deciduous Forests—Estimates from Ground Based Measurements,' Atmospheric Environment 34(20), 3271–3280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishna Prasad, V., Yogesh, K., Prabhat Gupta, K., Sharma, C., Mitra, A.P. and Badarinath, K.V.S.: 2001, 'Biomass and Combustion Characteristics of Secondary Mixed Deciduous Forests in Eastern Ghats of India,' Atmospheric Environment 35(18) 3085–3095.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacaux, J.P., Delmas, R., Jambert, C. and Kuhlbusch, T.A.J.: 1996, 'NOx Emissions from African Savanna Fires,' Journal of Geophysical Research 101, 23,585–23,595.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, H., Zhou, D., Jung, Y., Wisniewski, J. and Sathaye, J.: 1996, 'Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory and Mitigation Strategies for Asian and Pacific Countries. Summary of Workshop Presentations and Working Group Discussions,' Ambio 25, 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine, J.S. (ed.): 1985, The Photochemistry of Atmospheres: Earth, the Other Planets and Comets, Academic Press, San Diego, CA, pp. 52–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine, J.S., Cofer, W.R., Cahoon, D.R. and Winstead, E.L.: 1995, 'Biomass Burning: A Driver for Global Change,' Environmental Science and Technology 29, 120–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mishra, B.K. and Ramakrishnan, P.S.: 1983, 'Secondary Succession Subsequent to Slash and Burn Agriculture at Higher Elevations of Northeast India. I. Species Diversity, Biomass and Litter Production,' Acta Oecologica—Oecol. Applic. 4, 95–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puri, G.S.: 1960, Indian Forest Ecology, Vol. I, Oxford Book and Stationary Co., New Delhi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramakrishnan, P.S. and Toky, O.P.: 1978, 'Preliminary Observations on the Impact of Jhum (Shifting Agriculture) on the Forested Ecosystem,' in Seminar on Resources, Development and Environment in the Himachal Pradesh Region, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, pp. 343–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramakrishnan, P.S.: 1993, 'Shifting Agriculture and Sustainable Development. An Interdisciplinary Study from North-Eastern India,' in J.N.R. Jeffers (ed.), Man and Biosphere Series, Vol. 10, Oxford University Press, Calcutta, pp. 13–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seiler, W. and Crutzen, P.J.: 1980, 'Estimates of Gross and Net Fluxes of Carbon between the Biosphere and Atmosphere from Biomass Burning,' Climate Change 2, 207–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • SFR (State of Forest Report): 1999, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Dehradun, India.

  • Shukla, R.P. and Ramakrishnan, P.S.: 1982, 'Phenology of Trees in a Sub-Tropical Humid Forest in Northeastern India,' Vegetatio 49, 103–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skole, D.L., Moore, B. III and Chomentowski, W.H.: 1994, 'Spatial Analysis of Land-Cover Change and Carbon Flux Associated with Biomass Burning in Brazil, 1970- 1980,' in R.G. Zepp (ed.), Climate- Biosphere Interactions: Biogenic Emissions and Environmental Effects of Climate Change, Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toky, O.P. and Ramakrishnan, P.S.: 1982, 'Secondary Succession Subsequent to Slash and Burn Agriculture (Jhum) at Higher Elevations of Meghalaya in North-East India. I. Species Diversity, Biomass and Litter Production,' in P.S. Ramakrishnan (ed.), Ecological Implications of Jhum Cultivation on the Ecosystem Functions of Subtropical Humid Forest Stands, MAB project Report, Vol. 1, Department of Botany, North East Hill University, Shillong, India, pp. 141–157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toky, O.P. and Ramakrishnan, P.S.: 1983, 'Secondary Succession Following Slash and Burn Agriculture in Northeastern India. I. Biomass, Litterfall and Productivity,' Journal of Ecology 72, 735–745.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yogesh, K., Ghosh, A.B., Sharma, M.C., Prabhat Gupta, K., Krishna Prasad, V., Badarinath, K.V.S. and Mitra, A.P.: 2000, 'Studies on Aerosol Optical Depth in Biomass Burning Areas Using Satellite and Ground Based Observations,' Infrared Physics and Technology 41, 21–28.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Prasad, V.K., Lata, M. & Badarinath, K. Trace Gas Emissions from Biomass Burning from Northeast Region in India—Estimates from Satellite Remote Sensing Data and GIS. The Environmentalist 23, 229–236 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ENVR.0000017376.69456.b8

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ENVR.0000017376.69456.b8

Navigation