Fuel characteristics, loads and consumption in Scots pine forests of central Siberia

Forest fuel investigations in central and southern Siberian taiga of Scots pine forest stands dominated by lichen and feather moss ground vegetation cover revealed that total aboveground biomass varied from 13.1 to 21.0 kg/m 2.Stand biomass was higher in plots in the southern taiga,while ground fuel loads were higher in the central taiga.We developed equations for fuel biomass(both aerial and ground)that could be applicable to similar pine forest sites of Central Siberia.Fuel loading variability found among plots is related to the impact and recovery time since the last wildfi re and the mosaic distribution of living vegetation.Fuel consumption due to surface fi res of low to high-intensities ranged from 0.95 to 3.08 kg/m 2,that is,18–74%from prefi re values.The total amount of fuels available to burn in case of fi re was up to 4.5–6.5 kg/m 2.Moisture content of fuels(litter,lichen,feather moss)was related to weather conditions characterized by the Russian Fire Danger Index(PV-1)and FWI code of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System.The data obtained provide a strong foundation for understanding and modeling fi re behavior,emissions,and fi re eff ects on ecosystem processes and carbon stocks and could be used to improve existing global and regional models that incorporate biomass and fuel characteristics.

Βedrock instability of underground storage systems in the Czech Republic, Central Europe

Underground storage systems are currently being used worldwide for the geological storage of natural gas （CH4）, the geological disposal of CO2, in geothermal energy, or radioactive waste disposal. We introduce a complex approach to the risks posed by induced bedrock instabilities in deep geological underground storage sites. Bedrock instability owing to underground openings has been studied and discussed for many years. The Bohemian Massif in the Czech Republic （Central Europe） is geologically and tectonically complex. However, this setting is ideal for leaming about the instability state of rock masses. Longterm geological and mining studies, natural and induced seismicity, radon emanations, and granite properties as potential storage sites for disposal of radioactive waste in the Czech Republic have provided useful information. In addition, the Czech Republic, with an average concentration radon of 140 Bq m-3, has the highest average radon concentrations in the world. Bedrock instabilities might emerge from microscale features, such as grain size and mineral orientation, and microfracturing. Any underground storage facility construction has to consider the stored substance and the geological settings. In the Czech Republic, granites and granitoids are the best underground storage sites. Microcrack networks and migration properties are rock specific and vary considerably. Moreover, the matrix porosity also affects the mechanical properties of the rocks. Any underground storage site has to be selected carefully. The authors suggest to study the complex set of parameters from micro to macroscale for a particular place and type of rock to ensure that the storage remains safe and stable during construction, operation, and after closure.

Typhoon disaster risk zoning for China’s coastal area

Previous studies on typhoon disaster risk zoning in China have focused on individual provinces or small-scale areas and lack county-level results.In this study,typhoon disaster risk zoning is conducted for China’s coastal area,based on data at the county level.Using precipitation and wind data for China and typhoon disaster and social data at the county level for China’s coastal area from 2004 to 2013,first we analyze the characteristics of typhoon disasters in China’s coastal area and then develop an intensity index of factors causing typhoon disasters and a comprehensive social vulnerability index.Finally,by combining the two indices,we obtain a comprehensive risk index for typhoon disasters and conduct risk zoning.The results show that the maximum intensity areas are mainly the most coastal areas of both Zhejiang and Guangdong,and parts of Hainan Island,which is similar to the distribution of typhoon disasters.The maximum values of vulnerability in the northwest of Guangxi,parts of Fujian coastal areas and parts of the Shandong Peninsula.The comprehensive risk index generally decreases from coastal areas to inland areas.The high-risk areas are mainly distributed over Hainan Island,south-western Guangdong,most coastal Zhejiang,the coastal areas between Zhejiang and Fujian and parts of the Shandong Peninsula.