Effects of Fire Management on Carbon Sequestration in Sequoia Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks

Project ID: J8W07090027

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: University of Washington

Fiscal Year: 2009

Initial Funding: $56,400

Total Funding: $56,400

Project Type: Technical Assistance

Project Disciplines: Physical

National Park: Pacific West Region California

Principal Investigator: Hinckley, Thomas

Agreement Technical Representative: Coon, Laura

Abstract: The National Park Service (NPS) will collaborate with the University of Washington at Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park (SEKI) and Yosemite National Park (YOSE) to develop estimates of carbon pools sequestered above ground in trees, shrubs, and surface fuels. Existing plot data will be used to stratify carbon pools by fire history. Products will include GIS-based carbon sequestration maps stratified by fire history; a report describing methods of calculating carbon pools and the associated carbon pool totals for forest types with plot data; a 1-page publication brief summarizing the management implications of the study; and a presentation of results to NPS staff in workshops conducted at SEKI and YOSE and at a national conference. This study will improve our understanding of how fire and fire history affect the amounts of carbon that are sequestered in Sequoia Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks. Collectively, results from this project will assist with fire management plans in these public areas and surrounding lands.