Global Wildland Fires

Global emissions of particles and chemical compounds from wildland firesinto the atmosphere have a strong impact on the air's composition. In thetropics every year numerous deforestation and savanna maintenance firesemit vast amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere. Also extratropicalwildland fires can affect air quality on a regional and inter-continental scale.Models that simulate sources transport and sinks of chemical species andparticles in the atmosphere make use of fire emission inventories to describethis highly variable source. This book presents an analysis of new global firesatellite products that allow for an improved estimate of fire emissions.Emissions are calculated with the Global Wildland Fire Emission Model(GWEM) developed by the author. Results are used in a global transportmodel to assess the influence of fire emissions on atmospheric chemistry.Significant impacts on carbon monoxide and ozone in the atmosphere areobserved. This book is directed to students and earth system researchersinterested in wildland fires and their impact on atmospheric composition.Parts of this book may also serve a broader audience as introduction to thetopic.