Preface

The Forest Carbon and Emissions Model (FCEM) is a Rapid Estimation Model (REM) that requires a minimum of input data. It fills the need for quickly estimating forest carbon storage, sequestration, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. FCEM is a deterministic biomass-based model that uses an Excel spreadsheet to compute estimates.

Forests and forestry are playing an increasingly important role in sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially during a period of rising concerns about global warming. FCEM provides quick estimates to inventory carbon storage and assess the consequences of wildfires and insect infestations to climate change. This can help improve decision making when information is limited and budgets are restricted.

This version of FCEM applies to California. Future changes to FCEM could include expanding the list of species and vegetation types to other regions of the United States, updating equations and coefficients as scientific and technical information advances, and converting the Excel spreadsheet to a Windows program to enhance the model's flexibility and helpfulness to users.

This report provides an overview of FCEM, input requirements, and example applications and outputs. It also includes information on the structure of the model and lists scientific and technical references.

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Forest Carbon Report