FAQs

1. What is CO2FIX?
   
   
2. Is there readily available input data for some tree species?
   
   
3. What are the features of and options in each version of CO2FIX?
   
   
4. What new features will the new version of CO2FIX (V3) have?
   
   
5. Can I simulate short rotation bioenergy plantations?
   
   
6. Where can I find growth data for my simulations?
   
   
7. Is there any CO2FIX related publications available?
   
   
8. Is it possible that you would check my simulations
   
   
9. Who are the contact persons in different institutions related to project?
   
   
10. Where can I find references about biomass equations, biomass turnover rates, carbon content, and basic wood densities?
    
    
11. Where can I find meteo data for the soil module?
    
    
12. Why should I register to use CO2FIX?
    
    
13. What are the minimum requirements for CO2FIX to run on my computer?

1. What is CO2FIX?
   - CO2FIX is a modelling frame in which a user builds his own (forest) data in order to simulate the long term carbon balance of a forest ecosystem. It provides annual output in terms of carbon stocks and fluxes.
   
   
2. Is there readily available input data for some tree species?
   -Yes, when you download a version of co2fix, you automatically receive a number of input forest types with it. In addition, you find a list of forest types on the Casfor web pages under 'Examples'. Furthermore, you are welcome to send us your input forest types, and with your permission we will put them on the web.
   
   
3. What are the features of and options in each version of CO2FIX?
   -CO2FIX V 1.2 is the windows version of V1 which was originally developed by Frits Mohren. V1.2 has the possibility to simulate only one cohort (functional group of trees); i.e. an evenaged, monospecious stand of one ha. It has a simple soil module, simple management module, and a simple products module. It does give a full ecosystem carbon balance. If you are new in using models, we advise you to use this version first.
   
   CO2FIX V2 has a couple of main advances: main thing is the possibility to work with multiple cohort stands (still of one ha). These cohorts influence each other through competition. V2 has more advanced options to simulate mortality, management and its related mortality. Furthermore it has a more detailed products module and an improved soil module.
   
   
4. What new features will the new version of CO2FIX (V3) have?
   -V3, to be released end of 2003 will consist of both a stand version, as well as a landscape version (CO2FIX-Land). It will have a carbon accounting (following Kyoto) module for e.g. CDM projects, and a financial module, as well as a bio energy module. V 3.0 allows also the definition of different scenarios for the same case study. These can be for instance a baseline scenario (grassland) and a mitigation scenario (afforestation).
   
   
5. Can I simulate short rotation bioenergy plantations?
   -With some limitations, yes. These and other special applications (like application to degrading grassland), are explained in the new forthcoming manual for V 3.
   
   
6. Where can I find growth data for my simulations?
   -There is a list of yield table references at http://www.efi.fi/projects/forsce/yield_tables.html
   
   
7. Is there any CO2FIX related publications available?
   -You can download the publications of the CASFOR-II research team from the Results. There are also references to other publications where CO2FIX is used at the Links
   
   
8. Is it possible that you would check my simulations?
   -This is not possible. Even though another user of CO2FIX may be working on the same problem, we cannot give out names of registrants either.
   
   
9. Who are the contact persons in different institutions related to project?
   -See Research team
   
   
10. Where can I find references about biomass equations, biomass turnover rates, carbon content, and basic wood densities?
    
    -DeAngelis, D. L., R. H. Gardner, et al. (1981). Productivity of forest ecosystems studied during the IBP: the woodlands data set. In: Reichle, D.E. (ed.) Dynamic properties of forest ecosystems. International Biological Programme 23. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge etc. pp. 567-672.
    
    -Cannell, M. G. R. e., Ed. (1982). World forest biomass and primary production data. Natural Environment Research Council. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. Academic Press London New York. 391 p.
    
    -COST E21 'Contribution of Forests and Forestry to Mitigate Greenhouse Effects'. An attempt to bring together biomass equations, and biomass expansion factors (to simulate foliage, branches, roots) are undertaken http://www.bib.fsagx.ac.be/coste21/
    
    -Harmon, M. E., O. N. Krankina, M. Yatskov, and E. Matthews. 2001. Predicting broad-scale carbon stores of woody detritus from plot-level data. Pp. 533-552. In: Lai, R., J. Kimble, B. A. Stewart, Assessment Methods for Soil Carbon, CRC Press, New York
    
    -Matthews, G. (1993). "The carbon content of trees." Forestry Commission Technical paper 4(21).
    
    -Forest Products Laboratory: Handbook of wood and wood-based materials. Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, New York, London
    
    -Rijsdijk, J.F.; Laming, P.B. 1994: Physical and related properties of 145 timbers. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Boston, London
    
    -TerMikaelian MT, Korzukhin MD. 1997. Biomass equations for sixty-five North American tree species. Forest Ecology and Management 97 (1): 1-24
    
    -Nadelhoffer K.J. and Raich J.W., 1992. Fine root production estimates and belowground carbon allocation in forest ecosystems. Ecology, 73(4): 1139-1147.
    
    -Brown, S. 1997. Estimating Biomass and Biomass Change of Tropical Forests: a Primer. (FAO Forestry Paper - 134) (includes an appendix with wood densities for many tropical species)
    
    -Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/y1997e/y1997e00.htm#Contents
    
    -Reyes, G., Brown, S., Chapman, J. & Lugo A. E. 1992. Wood Densities of Tropical Tree Species. United States Department of Agriculture. General Technical Report SO-88
    
    
11. Where can I find meteo data for the soil module?
    http://www.knmi.nl/ or
    http://www.worldclimate.com/
    
    
12. Why should I register to use CO2FIX?
    -The purpose of the registration is to have insight to the user group of CO2FIX. The information you have provided will be used only for internal use and will not be given to any third party. With your e-mail address (which is obligatory in order to receive CO2FIX) it is possible for us to keep you informed on major changes and/or additions to CO2FIX. We will do that only in seldom cases through a mailing list address. Your personal email address is thereby secured.
    
    
13. What are the minimum requirements for CO2FIX to run on my computer?
    -The minimum requirements for installing the program on your personal computer are: Intel 80386 processor, 4 MB RAM memory, 4 MB free space on the hard disk and any Win32 operating system previously installed.
    
    

If you did not find an answer to your question, you can contact Mart-Jan Schelhaas (MartJan.Schelhaas(at)wur.nl)