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1 Guidance for using the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) in Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) Methodologies Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee PlantingsFullCAM) Methodology Determination 2014 Version 1.0

Guidance for using the Full Carbon Accounting Model ... · Guidance for using the Full Carbon Accounting Model ... in Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) Methodologies ... and subsequent

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1

Guidance for using the Full Carbon Accounting Model

(FullCAM) in Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI)

Methodologies

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative)

(Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings—

FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2014

Version 1.0

2

Disclaimer

This guidance has been developed to assist project proponents to calculate abatement in FullCAM as

required by the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by Environmental or

Mallee Plantings—FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2014. Project proponents must not use this

guidance as a substitute for complying with the requirements in the Methodology Determination.

This guidance will be updated periodically and users should note that some inputs and values may

change over time. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that they are using the most recent version

of this guidance and any tool/s required by these Guidelines.

Before relying on any material contained in this guidance, project proponents should familiarise

themselves with the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) and obtain professional advice suitable to their

particular circumstances.

The Department of the Environment and the Commonwealth of Australia will not be liable for any

direct, indirect or consequential loss arising out of, or in connection with, or reliance on, information

on, or produced by, using this guidance.

© Commonwealth of Australia 2014

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Contents 1. Use of FullCAM in the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by

Environmental or Mallee Plantings—FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2014............................... 4

2. Baseline ........................................................................................................................................... 4

3. Calculating Project Carbon at the end of a reporting period .......................................................... 5

4. Outputs generated in FullCAM and used in equations in the Determination ................................ 5

Table 1 Outputs generated in FullCAM ........................................................................................... 5

5. Setting up simulations for each Carbon Estimation Area ............................................................... 6

5.1 Downloading FullCAM ............................................................................................................. 6

5.2 Create a new plot file .............................................................................................................. 6

5.3 Saving a plot file ...................................................................................................................... 7

5.4 The Configuration tab ............................................................................................................. 8

5.5 The Timing tab ........................................................................................................................ 8

5.6 The Data Builder tab ............................................................................................................. 10

5.7 The Site tab ........................................................................................................................... 12

5.8 The Trees tab ........................................................................................................................ 12

5.9 The Soil tab ............................................................................................................................ 13

5.10 The Initial Conditions tab ...................................................................................................... 13

5.11 The Events tab ....................................................................................................................... 15

5.11.1 Permitted Events ........................................................................................................... 15

5.11.1.1 Specific Calibrations .................................................................................................. 15

Table 2 – Modelled events permitted for specific calibrations under this methodology ............ 15

5.11.1.2 Generic Calibration ................................................................................................... 16

Table 3 – Modelled events permitted for the generic calibration in this methodology .............. 16

5.12 Adding a New Event .............................................................................................................. 17

5.13 The Output Windows tab ...................................................................................................... 21

6. Running simulations ...................................................................................................................... 26

7. Viewing outputs ............................................................................................................................ 26

8. Transferring outputs into a spread sheet ..................................................................................... 26

Appendix ............................................................................................................................................... 31

Table 3. Guidance on availability of calibrations [Tree Species and Regime (Initial Rotation)

settings] in FullCAM ...................................................................................................................... 31

Figure 1. General guidance on location of the spatial domains applicable for the specific

calibrations. ................................................................................................................................... 33

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1. Use of FullCAM in the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative)

(Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings—FullCAM)

Methodology Determination 2014 Registered offsets projects under the Carbon Farming Initiative must follow this guidance when using the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings—FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2014 (the Determination).

When estimating abatement using FullCAM the following requirements apply:

The latest public release version of FullCAM (available on the Department’s website) must

be used for each reporting period and version 3.55 of FullCAM or higher must be used.

Project proponents must ONLY manipulate the model settings as specified in this document.

NO other settings may be changed—the default settings will apply.

For projects under the Determination, separate plot files must be created for each carbon

estimation area (CEA).

For each CEA, separate plot files must be created for:

o estimating monthly carbon stocks under the project activity for the current reporting

period

o determining if a disturbance event must be reported prior to the next reporting period.

Where a new version of FullCAM has been released between reporting periods, new plot

files for each CEA may need to be created. For each reporting period and each plot file,

spatial data must be downloaded to ensure the most current data (which normally is

updated annually, usually in April) are used. This is described below for the Data Builder tab.

The increase in the modelled project carbon stocks between reporting periods (or project

commencement), minus included emissions within the reporting period, forms the basis of

abatement calculations and subsequent issuing of Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs).

The maximum age of tree growth for simulations using a specific calibration is 15 years (see

Table 3). Only simulations using the generic mixed species environmental calibration can run

simulations up to 100 years.

Sections 2-5 of this document provide step-by-step guidance for setting up a FullCAM plot for each

of the allowable simulated scenarios.

2. Baseline The baseline for each CEA using the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by

Environmental or Mallee Plantings—FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2014 is zero.

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3. Calculating Project Carbon at the end of a reporting period Project proponents calculate the project net abatement by completing the equations in Divisions 4.3 to 4.5 of the Determination. Table 2 in Division 4.2 in the Determination lists the FullCAM outputs required to inform these equations to calculate project net abatement. This table is re-produced as Table 1 below.

4. Outputs generated in FullCAM and used in equations in the

Determination

Table 1 Outputs generated in FullCAM

FullCAM Output Units Description Form Parameter and

Equation

Initial C mass of

trees

tonnes C per

hectare

Initial carbon

stock in above-

ground and

below ground

tree biomass

Time series -

monthly

(cumulative )

Equation 12a

Initial C mass of

forest debris

tonnes C per

hectare

Initial carbon

stock in debris

Time series -

monthly

(cumulative)

Equation 12a

C mass of trees tonnes C per

hectare

Carbon stock in

above-ground

and below

ground tree

biomass

Time series -

monthly

(cumulative )

Equation 12b

C mass of forest

debris

tonnes C per

hectare

Carbon stock in

debris

Time series -

monthly

(cumulative)

Equation 12b

CH4 emitted due

to fire

tonnes CH4

per hectare

Mass of CH4

emitted to the

atmosphere due

to fire

Time series monthly

(non-cumulative)

Equation 13

N2O emitted due

to fire

kg N2O per

hectare

Mass of N2O

emitted to the

atmosphere due

to fire

Time series –

monthly (non-

cumulative)

Equation 14

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5. Setting up simulations for each Carbon Estimation Area Simulations for each Carbon Estimation Area (CEA) are undertaken using Plots. Project proponents must use the following steps for entering data into each tab in a FullCAM plot for each CEA registered under the Determination.

All steps must be followed when creating new plot files. When using existing plot files, updated spatial data must be uploaded in the Data Builder tab as described in section 5.6, and other tabs updated as relevant.

5.1 Downloading FullCAM The latest public release version of FullCAM is available to download from the Department’s web site: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/climate-change/greenhouse-gas-measurement-and-reporting/tracking-australias-greenhouse-gas-emissions/land-sector-reporting

Once you have downloaded FullCAM, open the program and follow the guidance below.

5.2 Create a new plot file

Create a new plot under the ‘File’ menu. This plot represents a single CEA.

Once you have created a new plot, you will see a window such as below. The plot will default to the

About tab (in blue text):

On the about tab you can choose what to enter at ‘Name of Plot’. We recommend using a name for the plot that reflects the identifier for the CEA and the project name or number as reported to the Clean Energy Regulator and model scenario, e.g. ‘CEA1_project_west_2015 offsets report’. This name does not become the file name for the plot. It is a free text box and is editable from within the plot file. Populating this cell and the content is optional, but recommended.

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Once you have populated the text box press Tab

Under ‘Notes’ you may choose to enter information for your own use. This information will not influence the FullCAM outputs.

Once you have populated the text box press Tab

5.3 Saving a plot file Once you have created a plot file, it is best to save immediately to your nominated storage location (e.g. My Documents, thumb drive) and save regularly. Users are responsible for their own document and records management and FullCAM does not provide this function.

Save the plot file using the ‘File’ menu on the FullCAM toolbar.

You can choose what to enter for the ‘File name’. This is not linked to the ‘Name of plot’ free text box on the About tab. As per the ‘Name of plot’ text box it is recommended that you use a name for the plot that reflects the identifier for the CEA and model scenario, e.g. ‘CEA1_project_west_2015 offsets report’.

Note: Save the plot file regularly when setting up and running simulations (Ctrl + S).

Now navigate to the next tab, Configuration, using the mouse or Page Down.

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5.4 The Configuration tab The Configuration tab is where you will select the type of system to be modelled.

Steps required:

1) This Determination concerns a reforestation activity, so you must select Forest system from the ‘Plot/Type’ drop down menu.

a. Select Forest system

b. Press Tab

2) Do not change any other settings on the Configuration tab.

The Configuration tab settings must appear as below.

Now navigate to the next tab, Timing, using the mouse or Page Down.

5.5 The Timing tab The Timing tab requires you to define the period to be simulated.

Steps required:

On the Timing tab:

1) Under Simulation Timing, select Calendar. (See below).

2) Press Tab

3) Under Start and End of Simulation enter the start date and end date of the simulation that you will run, in the format of ‘1 July 2014’ or ‘1 7 2014’.

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a. The start date will be the project implementation date (which must be the Planting Date for the CEA).

i. Press Tab b. The end date will be a date after the end of the period for which the simulation is

being run. Note that a stand age of 15 years is the maximum number of years for which projects can apply a specific calibration.

i. Press Tab

4) Under Output Steps, select Monthly.

An example of how the Timing tab should now appear is below:

5) Press Tab

6) Do NOT change any other settings.

After you have populated all necessary parts of Timing and pressed Tab nine more tabs should have

appeared on the menu bar (some blue text, some red text), for example see below:

Now navigate to the next tab, Data Builder, using the mouse or Page Down.

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5.6 The Data Builder tab The Data Builder tab (see image below) allows you to download the data required by FullCAM from extensive databases maintained by the Department. [Note that the default location is Uluru].

Steps required:

1. Click the box to turn on the Data Builder (this requires an internet connection).

2. Press Tab

3. Enter the latitude and longitude (in decimal degrees) of the model point location which is central to and representative of the area being modelled (not in an exclusion area).

a. Once you have populated the latitude box press Tab

b. Once you have populated the longitude box press Tab

4. Click the button to Download Spatial Data, and then click ‘OK’ in the Info Box that pops up.

5. Under Trees and Events, select the appropriate Tree Species from the Tree Species drop down menu (a default Tree Species type will have appeared that may be changed). Under this Determination only a subset of the Tree Species types are applicable:

a. For a mixed species environmental planting i. mixed species environmental planting temperate (a specific

calibration)

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ii. mixed species environmental planting tropical (a specific calibration) iii. mixed species environmental planting (the generic calibration)

b. For a mallee planting i. mallee eucalypt kochii (a specific calibration)

ii. mallee eucalypt loxophleba lissophloia (a specific calibration) iii. mallee eucalypt polybractea (a specific calibration) iv. mixed species environmental planting (the generic calibration)

Notes on the availability of Tree Species and spatial domains Note 1: A Tree Species will only appear in this drop down list when the latitude and longitude entered in the Data Builder tab lie within the spatial domain for the permitted Tree Species. Note 2: For both mixed species environmental plantings or mallee plantings under this determination the generic calibration Mixed species environmental planting must be used where a planting does not meet the domain requirements for one of the specific calibrations as the generic calibration has no spatial or age domain restrictions. A proponent may also choose to use this calibration within the domains of the new growth curve calibration. Note 3: Table 3 in the Appendix provides specific guidance on which Tree Species and Regime (Initial Rotation) settings are available. Figure 1 in the Appendix provides general guidance of where the specific calibrations are applicable in a set of high-level maps of the spatial domains. The maps will also be available as data layers in the CFI Mapping Tool. The generic calibration is available throughout Australia. Note 4: While FullCAM provides model outputs based on model point locations, the entire CEA represented by a model point location, must also fall within the applicable spatial domain. For multiple polygon CEAs this includes all polygons within the CEA. The size of the CEA is also limited by the distance of its boundary from the model point, as specified in the Determination (Paragraph 3.3(3)). GIS data to assist project proponents in ensuring that an entire CEA falls within the applicable spatial domain will be available from the Department or the Department’s website. The maps will also be available as data layers in the CFI Mapping Tool.

6. Once you have selected the tree species press Tab 7. Under Trees and Events, click the Download This Species button 8. A pop-up box will appear asking if you want to make the selected Tree Species the

‘initial tree species’. Click ‘Yes’.

9. Press Tab 10. Under Trees and Events / Regimes (Initial Rotation), from the drop down box to the

right, select the appropriate Regime and press ‘OK’. As for Tree Species, only permitted Regimes for the selected Tree Species will appear. Note that the use of a regime may be subject to domain requirements for planting geometry, stocking density and the proportion of trees, including a sampling requirement as specified in the Determination and indicated in the Appendix (Table 3):

a. If the Tree Species you have selected is for one of the specific calibrations, click the Download Events For This Regime button.

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b. If the Tree Species you have selected is for the existing generic Environmental Plantings calibration, DO NOT click the Download Events For This Regime button.

11. Press Tab

12. DO NOT change any other settings on this tab.

An example of how the Data Builder Tab should now appear (for a project using a specific calibration) is below:

Now navigate to the tab, Initial Conditions, using the mouse or Page Down.

Do not change any settings on the Site, Trees, or Soil tabs

5.7 The Site tab DO NOT change any settings on this tab.

5.8 The Trees tab DO NOT change any settings on this tab. [The species on this tab must match the Tree Species on the Data Builder tab].

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5.9 The Soil tab DO NOT change any settings on this tab.

5.10 The Initial Conditions tab The Initial Conditions tab will look like this:

Steps required:

1. Under the Forest group, click the button labelled Trees. 2. On the pop-up window, the species you selected at the Data Builder tab will be showing in

the drop-down box under Species. 3. Under Existence, ensure that the box (‘The forest has trees growing in it at the start of the

simulation’) is un-checked. (see below)

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4. Click OK. 5. In the Initial Conditions tab, under Forest, click the button labelled Debris. 6. Change all the default settings for each debris pool to zero (See below). Ensure that you

press Tab upon populating each cell. 7. Once all are set to zero, click OK.

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8. DO NOT change any other settings in the Initial conditions tab.

Now navigate to the next tab, Events, using the mouse or Page Down.

5.11 The Events tab

Note: The specific calibrations account for the effects of management such as weed control and fertiliser on biomass accumulation. If such management events occur within a CEA, they must not be entered as events in FullCAM. Thus, a project may apply different management within sub areas of a CEA that uses the new growth curve calibrations and not be required to re-stratify the CEA. In contrast, the generic calibration for mixed-species environmental plantings does not include the effects of management such as weed control and fertiliser on biomass accumulation. If a CEA uses the generic calibration for mixed-species environmental plantings and applies management differentially within a CEA, the CEA must be re-stratified accordingly.

5.11.1 Permitted Events

Table 2 of this document includes a list of all permitted events which can be modelled with this methodology. Note that some events are only permitted for projects using the generic calibration for mixed species environmental planting. All permitted management practices (events) that are used in the project, must be included in model simulations for each relevant CEA. If a CEA is re-stratified for any of the reasons specified in the Determination (e.g. section 3.8), then each resulting new CEA must have all nominated and permissible management practices (events) included in model simulations.

Wildfires must be included as they occur, and the effect on the carbon stock will be reflected by the severity of the fire event. For a wildfire event where the burnt area is patchy and difficult to demarcate, you must enter the affected portion of a CEA as a percentage—other values remain unchanged. However if a clearly defined area or areas of a CEA have been impacted uniformly (e.g. all trees killed), then re-stratification of the CEA may be appropriate.

5.11.1.1 Specific Calibrations

For projects using a specific calibration (rather than the generic Mixed species environmental plantings calibration), a Plant Trees event is automatically inserted into the Event Queue when the Download Events For This Regime button is clicked at step 8 in 2.4.4 Data Builder tab. No other plantation establishment events such fertiliser or herbicide may be added at the commencement of a project. The other permitted management activities and associated FullCAM events are listed in Table 2. Note thinning is not permitted under specific calibrations as this activity was not part of the management actions in the data used to derive the specific calibrations

Table 2 – Modelled events permitted for specific calibrations under this methodology

Management Activity

FullCAM Event Type

FullCAM Standard Event

FullCAM Parameter values

Planting trees Plant trees Plant trees: seedlings, normal stocking

Use Default

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Management Activity

FullCAM Event Type

FullCAM Standard Event

FullCAM Parameter values

Wildfire – trees not killed

Forest fire Wildfire – trees not killed

Tick the Enable biomass based age adjustments box.

Enter the percentage of the area of the CEA affected by fire under Affected Portion

Remainder of parameters–use default.

Wildfire – trees killed

Forest fire Wildfire – trees killed Tick the Enable biomass based age adjustments box.

Enter the percentage of forest affected by fire under Affected Portion

Remainder of parameters–use default.

Prescribed fire Forest fire Prescribed burn Tick the Enable biomass based age adjustments box.

Enter the percentage of forest affected by fire under Affected Portion

Remainder of parameters–use default.

5.11.1.2 Generic Calibration

For projects using the generic calibration, you must add a Plant Trees event. The other permitted management activities and associated FullCAM events are listed in Table 3.

Table 3 – Modelled events permitted for the generic calibration in this methodology

Management Activity

FullCAM Event Type

FullCAM Standard Event

FullCAM Parameter values

Planting trees Plant trees Plant trees: seedlings, normal stocking

Use Default

Wildfire – trees not killed

Forest fire Wildfire – trees not killed

Tick the Enable biomass based age adjustments box.

Enter the percentage of the area of the CEA affected by fire under Affected Portion

Remainder of parameters–use default.

Wildfire – trees killed

Forest fire Wildfire – trees killed

Tick the Enable biomass based age adjustments box.

Enter the percentage of forest affected by fire under Affected Portion

Remainder of parameters–use default.

Prescribed fire Forest fire Prescribed burn Tick the Enable biomass based age adjustments box.

Enter the percentage of forest affected by fire under Affected Portion

Remainder of parameters–use default.

Fertilisation Forest treatment

Fertilisation: Mid-rotation (Medium)

Use Default

Fertilisation Forest treatment

Starter fertiliser - normal

Use Default

Weed control Forest treatment

Weed control - Standard

Use Default

Thinning of forest

Thin Initial clearing: no product recovery

Define the affected portion of the forest that was thinned. You must report on how the estimate was derived in your project report.

Remainder of parameters–use default.

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5.12 Adding a New Event 1. To add a new event, click on the New button.

This will produce the following pop-up that needs to be completed.

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2. There are six event Types, of which only a selection are permitted under this Determination. For each event to be added, select the appropriate Event Type as indicated in Table 2 (specific

calibration) or 3 (generic calibration) and press Tab.

Note: If you are using a specific calibration, and have followed the earlier steps, you do not need to add an initial Plant trees event, as this event will already be in the event queue. However, please note the following: a. Check the date on the Event Tab under Timing, and ensure that it is the Planting Date for the CEA. Modify

as needed (See the screenshot under ‘3’ below). b. If you do need to add a Plant trees event, after you have added, for example, a forest fire, trees killed

event, then:

return to the Data Builder tab

click Download Events for This Regime

return to the Events tab

edit the date on the second Plant Trees event which is now listed, in order to insert the correct date for the second Plant Trees event.

3. For each event, insert the calendar date for the event in the box to the right of the Calendar date drop down menu. This must be in the format of 1 Jan 2015 or 1 1 2015. Once populated

press Tab.

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4. For each event added select Insert Standard Values (see below).

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5. A pop-up window will open that allows you to Select A Standard Event. Tables 2 and 3 define which event Type and which Standard event must be selected for each management activity. You must use default settings for the standard events unless defined otherwise in Table 2 or 3. One exception is for wildfire, whether for trees killed or trees not killed: you must enter the affected portion of the CEA as a percentage. An example of the Select A Standard Event menu is shown here:

6. After you have selected the appropriate Standard Event, a pop-up window will ask if you would like to also insert the name of the standard event. Click ‘Yes’.

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7. Click ‘OK’ to close the Event window.

An example of a completed events queue for a project using the generic Mixed species environmental planting calibration is shown below:

Now navigate to the next tab Output Windows using the mouse or Page Down.

5.13 The Output Windows tab Steps required:

1. Double click on Output1 listed in the Output Windows. 2. Click on the Select which Outputs to Show icon at the top of the output window (see below):

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Notes: The outputs are organized into folders and sub folders, just like files are organized into folders in Windows Explorer. Click the drop-down arrow next to a folder to expand and collapse the folders. A single click on the icon or name of a folder selects or deselects everything within the folder.

Selected outputs have a red tick on their icon, and a grey tick on the folder(s) where they are located. (See Image below).

A red tick on a folder indicates that all outputs within that folder and its subfolders are selected.

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Steps required (continued):

3. Deselect all the pools (by simply clicking on the top-level folders that show a tick, to remove the tick).

4. Use the drop down arrows and navigate through the folders to select: a. the following tree carbon pool: Carbon / Forest / Plants / C mass of trees. b. the following debris carbon pool: Carbon / Forest / Debris / C mass of forest debris. c. the following non CO2 emission: Whole / Emissions / CH4 emitted due to fire d. the following non CO2 emission: Nitrogen / Whole / Emissions / N2O emitted due to

fire. 5. Note: only the four pools listed above must be selected. The bottom section of the screen

shows how many outputs are selected (see below) 6. Click ‘OK’.

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The below image shows the expanded view for the following two outputs:

the following non CO2 emission: Whole / Emissions / CH4 emitted due to fire

the following tree carbon pool: Carbon / Forest / Plants / C mass of trees.

25

The below image shows the expanded view for the following two outputs:

the following debris carbon pool: Carbon / Forest / Debris / C mass of forest debris.

the following non CO2 emission: Nitrogen / Whole / Emissions / N2O emitted due to

fire.

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6. Running simulations Step required:

1. To run the simulation, press the icon in the top menu bar:

7. Viewing outputs Outputs can be viewed as a graph or a table by clicking one of the icons at the top left of the Output window.

8. Transferring outputs into a spread sheet Steps required:

To transfer data into a Microsoft Excel or equivalent spreadsheet for analysis: 1. If you are using Microsoft Excel, then click on the Save to File button (see screenshot) and

save as an Excel file, then skip steps 2 to 5. Alternatively, follow steps 2-5 below to transfer the data to a spreadsheet.

2. Click on the table icon in the output window to view the simulation output as a table.

3. Select all the output data by clicking on the icon (circled) in the top of the Output window.

4. On the highlighted data, right click and select ‘Copy’. 5. Open Microsoft Excel (or equivalent spreadsheet), and ‘Paste’ the data copied from FullCAM

into the spreadsheet with the top left hand corner in cell A1. For example:

27

Once you have the data in a spreadsheet, the steps required are as follows:

1. In the spreadsheet, delete the last two rows which present the maximum and minimum values simulated from each output variable.

2. In the spreadsheet, delete any rows after the date of the current reporting period. 3. To calculate the total carbon stock for a CEA at the end of a reporting period, you need three

values to input into equation 12b of the Determination: a) the area of the CEA (calculated independently to FullCAM) b) the carbon stock in trees (C mass of trees) c) the carbon stock in debris (C mass of forest debris)

4. The carbon stock in trees is the ‘C mass of trees’ value for the final month of the reporting period (e.g. see cell B 89, highlighted in green below). This value must be used in equation 12b of the Determination for ‘carbon stock in trees’.

5. For projects using the generic calibration, carbon stock in debris is the ‘C mass of debris’ for the final month of the reporting period. This value must be used in equation 12b of the Determination for ‘carbon stock in debris’. For an example, see the image below where the calculation is for 31 December 2018 (cell C 89, highlighted in pink).

6. For projects using a specific calibration, carbon stock in debris for use in Equations 12a and 12b in the Determination to calculate total carbon stock for the CEA for the reporting period, must be calculated using Equations A and B below. Note that this step is an interim step to address an issue with allocations to debris pools in FullCAM. The issue is currently under review and FullCAM and these guidelines will be updated when appropriate.

For each reporting period, the initial carbon stock for the debris pool used in Equation 12a must be calculated using:

Equation A

Where:

initial carbon stock in debris for the th carbon estimation area determined using FullCAM at the declaration date D (in tonnes C per hectare)—this

28

calculated value to be used in Equation 12a in the Determination.

initial carbon stock in debris for the th carbon estimation area determined using FullCAM at the declaration date D (in tonnes C per hectare)—i.e. the unrevised FullCAM output value.

initial carbon stock in trees for the th carbon estimation area determined using FullCAM at the declaration date D (in tonnes C per hectare).

i ith carbon estimation area.

That is, the value for carbon stock in debris that must be used in Equation 12a of the Determination is the smaller value out of either:

a. the FullCAM output for ‘C mass of forest debris’ at the declaration date, OR b. 0.35 times the FullCAM output for ‘C mass of trees’ at the declaration date.

Note: for new projects, initial carbon stock in debris will be zero.

For each reporting period, the initial carbon stock for the debris pool used in Equation 12b must be calculated using:

Equation B

Where:

carbon stock in debris for the th carbon estimation area determined using FullCAM for the final month of the reporting period (in tonnes C per hectare)—to be used in Equation 12b in the Determination.

carbon stock in debris for the th carbon estimation area determined using FullCAM for the final month of the reporting period (in tonnes C per hectare) —i.e. the unrevised FullCAM output value.

carbon stock in trees for the th carbon estimation area determined using FullCAM for the final month of the reporting period (in tonnes C per hectare).

i ith carbon estimation area.

That is, the value for carbon stock in debris that must be used in Equation 12b of the Determination is the smaller value out of either:

c. the FullCAM output for ‘C mass of forest debris’ for the final month of the reporting period (e.g. cell C89 in the screenshot below, highlighted in pink), OR

d. 0.35 times the FullCAM output for ‘C mass of trees’ for the final month of the reporting period (e.g. cell B89 in the screenshot below, highlighted in green, times 0.35)

A worked example of the application of Equation B is given in the screenshot below, column D. To calculate the value for , the Excel MIN function is used in the formula shown in both the formula bar and cell D72. The cells highlighted in orange (D77 to D89) contain values where the calculated value for using Equation B is less than the FullCAM output for ‘C mass of forest debris’. If the final month in the reporting period was February 2023, then the calculated value for of 7.99 is the value that must be used in Equation 12b of the Determination, not, 9.04.

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7. To calculate the total CH4 emissions from fire for a reporting period: add the ‘CH4 emitted

due to fire’ values from the planting date for the first reporting period or (for subsequent reporting periods) from the start of the current reporting period, to the end of the current reporting period. (For an example, see the screenshot below. A new column—column F— has been added and the CH4 emissions have been summed – cell F89, highlighted in blue).

30

8. To calculate the total N2O emissions from fire for a reporting period: add the ‘N2O emitted due to fire’ values from the planting date for the first reporting period or (for subsequent reporting periods) from the start of the current reporting period, to the end of the current reporting period. (For an example, see the screenshot below. A new column—column H— has been added and the N2O emissions have been summed – cell H89, highlighted in grey).

You should now have totals that would allow calculation of the net abatement for one CEA.

Repeat the above steps for each CEA, in order to produce a set of totals for your project using the equations in the Determination.

Use the totals calculated for each CEA as inputs into equation 18 in the Determination, together with the other required inputs to calculate the project abatement for the reporting period.

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Appendix Table 3. Guidance on availability of calibrations [Tree Species and Regime (Initial Rotation) settings] in FullCAM

This table includes a list of the calibrations [Tree Species and Regime (Initial Rotation) settings] currently available on the Data Builder tab in FullCAM for all

the specific calibrations for environmental plantings and mallee plantings and for the generic calibration.

Calibration

type

FullCAM Tree

species

Planting

geometry

Minimum sampling data

required to use a calibration

after 5 years from the planting

date

Available FullCAM Regimes (Initial Rotation)

Maximum

allowable age of

planting for

simulation

Specific

Mixed species

environmental

planting

temperate

Narrow Linear

Stocking > 1500 stems/ha and

Tree Proportion >= 0.75 Mixed species temperate, Geometry narrow, Stocking >1,500, Prop tree >=0.75

15 years

Tree Proportion >= 0.75 Mixed species temperate, Geometry narrow, Stocking <1,500, Prop tree >=0.75 15 years

Stocking > 1500 stems/ha Mixed species temperate, Geometry narrow, Stocking >1,500, Prop tree <0.75 15 years

No sampling required Mixed species temperate, Geometry narrow, Stocking <1,500, Prop tree <0.75 15 years

Wide linear

Stocking > 1500 stems/ha and

Tree Proportion >= 0.75 Mixed species temperate, Geometry wide, Stocking >1,500, Prop tree >=0.75

15 years

Stocking > 1500 stems/ha Mixed species temperate, Geometry wide, Stocking >1,500, Prop tree <0.75 15 years

Tree Proportion >= 0.75 Mixed species temperate, Geometry wide, Stocking <1,500, Prop tree >=0.75 15 years

No sampling required Mixed species temperate, Geometry wide, Stocking <1,500, Prop tree <0.75 15 years

Block

Stocking 500 - 1500 stems/ha

and Tree Proportion >= 0.75

Mixed species temperate, Geometry block, Stocking 500 - 1,500, Prop tree

>=0.75

15 years

Stocking > 1500 stems/ha Mixed species temperate, Geometry block, Stocking >1,500 15 years

Stocking 500 - 1500 stems/ha Mixed species temperate, Geometry block, Stocking 500 - 1,500, Prop tree <0.75 15 years

Tree Proportion >= 0.75 Mixed species temperate, Geometry block, Stocking <500, Prop tree >=0.75 15 years

No sampling required Mixed species temperate, Geometry block, Stocking <500, Prop tree <0.75 15 years

Specific

Mixed species

environmental

planting tropical

Block No sampling required Mixed species tropical, Geometry block

15 years

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Calibration

type

FullCAM Tree

species

Planting

geometry

Minimum sampling data

required to use a calibration

after 5 years from the planting

date

Available FullCAM Regimes (Initial Rotation)

Maximum

allowable age of

planting for

simulation

Generic

Mixed species

environmental

planting

n/a

No sampling required Mixed species environmental planting (1970-present All Plantation low: Non-

commercial planting; No prunes)

100 years

No sampling required Mixed species environmental planting (1970-present All Plantation high: Non-

commercial planting; No prunes)

100 years

No sampling required Mixed species environmental planting (1970-present All Plantation medium:

Non-commercial planting; No prunes)

100 years

Specific Mallee eucalypt

kochii

Block No sampling required Mallee eucalypt kochii, Geometry block 15 years

Wide linear No sampling required Mallee eucalypt kochii, Geometry wide 15 years

Narrow linear Stocking > 2,300 stems/ha Mallee eucalypt kochii, Geometry narrow, Stocking >2,300 15 years

No sampling required Mallee eucalypt kochii, Geometry narrow, Stocking <2,300 15 years

Specific

Mallee eucalypt

loxophleba

lissophloia

Block No sampling required Mallee eucalypt loxophleba lissophloia, Geometry block 15 years

Wide Linear No sampling required Mallee eucalypt loxophleba lissophloia, Geometry wide 15 years

Narrow linear Stocking > 2,300 stems/ha Mallee eucalypt loxophleba lissophloia, Geometry narrow, Stocking >2,300 15 years

No sampling required Mallee eucalypt loxophleba lissophloia, Geometry narrow, Stocking <2,300 15 years

Specific Mallee eucalypt

polybractea

Block No sampling required Mallee eucalypt polybractea, Geometry block 15 years

Wide linear No sampling required Mallee eucalypt polybractea, Geometry wide 15 years

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Figure 1. General guidance on location of the spatial domains applicable for the specific

calibrations.

Specific GIS data for the spatial domains for the specific calibrations is available from the

Department and/or the Department’s website. The maps will also be available as data layers in the

CFI Mapping Tool.

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