Impact of wildfire in Russia between 1998-2010 on ecosystems and the global carbon budget

Verified estimates of wildfire area and related carbon emissions in territories of Russia are reported for the period of 1998-2010. It is shown that the average burnt area is estimated to be at 8.23 million hectares per year (uncertainty +/- 9.0%, confidence interval 0.9), and carbon emissions-121 Tg C yr(-1) (+/- 23%), with a significant interannual variability of these indicators. A quantitative characteristic of fire emissions by species is reported. Forests are a source of three quarters of all carbon emissions caused by wildfires. A significant acceleration of fire regimes is expected during the 21st century as a result of climate change in the country.