UCCE expert adds perspective to wildfire debate

The Sacramento Bee today ran a story about research by a retired Texas A&M professor that points to wood decay following a wildfire as a major source of carbon in the atmosphere. The professor, Thomas Bonnicksen, is quoted in the story as saying the effects of wildfire negates any efforts to reduce California's carbon footprint.

"No matter what anybody does in California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as long as these forests are burning, they are wasting their time," Bonnicksen is quoted.

Bonnicksen's report said removing dead trees and storing the carbon they contain in solid wood products consumers need can reduce total CO 2 emissions by as much as 15 percent, according to the Bee article. The story noted Bonnicksen's research is not peer-reviewed and several sources questioned his conclusions. The work was supported by a foundation funded in part by lumber companies, the article said.

UC Cooperative Extension specialist Bill Stewart told reporter Tom Knudson that climate is not the only issue for scientists to consider when making decisions about forestland management following a wildfire.

"We have endangered species out there, concerns over water quality and fish habitat that also have to be taken into account. It isn't just climate," he is quoted.

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