Indicator: LD-39 Change in biomass stock
Data
| Year | Area Reported | C Stock Change in Biomass |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 26,620,219 | 36,643,929 |
| 1991 | 27,160,165 | 30,978,206 |
| 1992 | 27,660,214 | 29,234,740 |
| 1993 | 28,134,809 | 28,115,046 |
| 1994 | 28,594,277 | 27,175,962 |
| 1995 | 28,999,534 | 23,926,484 |
| 1996 | 29,401,285 | 24,693,800 |
| 1997 | 29,774,377 | 25,674,246 |
| 1998 | 30,148,603 | 25,772,642 |
| 1999 | 30,529,425 |
24,136,950 |
| 2000 | 30,988,634 | 24,033,414 |
| 2001 | 31,448,020 | 25,858,923 |
| 2002 | 31,888,435 | 26,711,204 |
| 2003 | 32,269,017 | 22,291,346 |
| 2004 | 32,665,985 | 26,275,041 |
What the data mean
Total biomass varies considerably from year to year but, generally, a steady trend of declining biomass can be observed - from a loss of just over 36.5 million tonnes across just over 26 million hectares in 1990 to just over 26 million tonnes across just over 32.5 hectares in 2004. (Estimates of total biomass stocks during each period are not available.)
The average rate of loss of biomass per hectare has decreased from about 1.4 tonnes per hectare in 1990 to 0.8 tonnes per hectare in 2004. This reflects the fact that much of the area that was forest land in 1990 has been converted to cropland or grassland, so there is considerably less biomass in the area to be lost.
Issues for which this is an indicator and why
Land - Land condition - Soil stability and quality
Biomass is a measure of quantity of the total mass of matter that is currently engaged in being alive. For soil to provide the nutrients required by the plants and other biota that grow in it, those nutrients need to be replenished by the ongoing breakdown of organic matter. This presumes the ongoing presence of biomass to provide that ongoing supply of organic matter.
Other indicators for this issue:
- LD-04 Area and change in area of exposed soil surface contributing to erosion
- LD-05 Terrestrial carbon loss rate and rate of land carbon sequestration
- LD-26 Dust storm index
Land - Direct pressure of human activities on the land - Soil loss and loss of soil quality
Biomass is a measure of quantity of the total mass of matter that is currently engaged in being alive. A decrease in total biomass represents a decrease in the quantity of matter available for the continuation of life. The conversion of biomass into atmospheric carbon and other greenhouse gases represents not only an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, with implications for climate change, but also a reduction in number of individual life forms present, and a reduction in organic material available for the maintenance of life forms, as individuals, species and ecosystems.
Other indicators for this issue:
- LD-04 Area and change in area of exposed soil surface contributing to erosion
- LD-05 Terrestrial carbon loss rate and rate of land carbon sequestration
- LD-26 Dust storm index
Atmosphere - Climate variability and change - Greenhouse
Biomass is a measure of quantity of the total mass of matter that is currently engaged in being alive. The conversion of biomass into atmospheric carbon and other greenhouse gases represents not only a reduction in organic material available for the maintenance of life forms but also an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, with implications for climate change.
Other indicators for this issue:
- A-07 Greenhouse - carbon dioxide concentrations and growth rates
- A-08 Greenhouse - change in total carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by gas
- A-38 Greenhouse - methane concentrations and growth rates
- A-39 Greenhouse - nitrous oxide concentrations and growth rates
- A-40 Greenhouse - change in total carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per capita and gross domestic product
- A-41 Greenhouse - climate change projections
- A-42 Greenhouse - carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by sector
- A-43 Greenhouse - carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by primary fuel type
- A-44 Greenhouse - carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by mode of travel and road transport emissions by vehicle type
- A-45 Greenhouse - agricultural sector carbon dioxide equivalent emissions
- A-46 Greenhouse - carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from land use, land use change and forestry
- Greenhouse - climate change projections
- LD-05 Terrestrial carbon loss rate and rate of land carbon sequestration
- CO-03 Sea level
- CO-04 Sea surface temperature variability
- CO-44 Marine chlorophyll concentration
- CO-60 Sea salinity
- AAT-12 Changes in colonies of plants on Heard Island
- AAT-14 Ice sheet mass balance and sea ice extent
- AAT-15 Glacier movement
Further Information
Key
Links to another web site
Links to data in the DRS
Opens a pop-up window
PDF files
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files.
If you are unable to access a PDF file, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.