BraMaSchi - Carbon monitoring after the Jois reed fire as part of the reed belt fire management pilot project

The management of the Lake Neusiedl reed belt has become an increasingly difficult endeavour in recent years. The lack of ice layers in winter has made previous reed cutting methods more difficult and has meant, among other things, that the use of heavy equipment during harvesting leads to major damage to the reed rhizomes.

The controlled burning is a comparatively simple method to regenerate the reed stand. However, it is also a controversial method in terms of the release of carbon and air pollutants, among other things.

The aim of this project, which is being led by the Biological Station Neusiedler See, is to determine the actual extent of a reed burn - particularly in terms of the carbon balance and air pollutant emissions. To this end, several hectares of an area of the Lake Neusiedl reed belt near Jois, which was predominantly covered by old reed, were burned on 13 January 2024. Together with the Institut für Waldbau (BOKU), we are investigating the carbon balance in order to accurately estimate the biomass discharge and to be able to make profound statements about the framework conditions for future fire management.