Development of a carbon accounting model (FullCAM Vers. 1.0) for the Australian continent

Abstract

Continental-scale carbon accounting capable of the spatial and temporal distinctions demanded by the Kyoto Protocol requires a modelled approach which integrates over space and time the effects of changing land use, land management and climate variability. To assist in the development of Australia's National Carbon Accounting System (NCAS), the Australian Greenhouse Office has developed and calibrated an integrated suite of models relevant to Australian conditions for which data were available or could be generated for their application. These point-based models were then made operational within a GIS environment to enable application at a fine spatial (25 m) and temporal (monthly) resolution for the Australian continent. This paper focuses on the FullCAM model, capable of carbon accounting in transitional (afforestation, reforestation and deforestation) and mixed (e.g. agroforestry) systems. The FullCAM model can be run in a spatial mode which integrates information drawn from remotely-sensed land-cover change, modelled productivity surfaces, mapped resource inventories and other ancillary data to perform the various accounting procedures for Australia's NCAS. This framework has been developed in parallel with a range of data collation, model calibration and verification activities across the continent. The framework provided by FullCAM has allowed highly specific and therefore targeted and cost-effective model calibration and verification activities. FullCAM, as the analytic model for Australia's NCAS, will continue to be refined within the established framework.