ИСТИНА

The system of regional assessment of forest carbon budget (ROBUL) is developed as a tool for analysis of State Forest Registry (SFR) databases. SFR of Russian Federation is a national level compilation of local forest inventory data. SFR contains information about areas and growing stocks of different forest types, separated by dominant tree species, age groups, commerce and protective characteristics. ROBUL system includes sets of equations and parameter tables which allow quantitative interpretation of SFR data in carbon units. Specific sets of conversion factors are used to calculate carbon in biomass and dead wood based on growing stock values. Sets of typical values per area unit are used for estimation of soil and litter carbon pools based on the area information. SFR data, separated by age groups, are used for producing of “carbon growth curves” and the subsequent assessment of carbon increments. Carbon losses with forest felling, forest fires and other destructive disturbances are estimated using the information on clear cuts, burnt and dead forest areas from SFR. The alternative way to estimate carbon losses is based on using of officially reported volumes of harvested wood and remote sensing data for forest fires. The carbon budget is calculated as a balance between increments and losses. Uncertainties estimates are based on errors of conversion factors and typical values. The ROBUL system is used in Russian official GHG inventory and generates data for UNFCC reporting. ROBUL software is available for open use through Internet.