General guidance for using the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) in Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI)

Methodologies

Version 1.0

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Disclaimer

The material in this document is for general information only and on the understanding that the Commonwealth is not providing advice, nor indicating a commitment to a preferred policy position. Before relying on any material contained in this document, entities should familiarise themselves with the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) and obtain professional advice suitable to their particular circumstances. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy, correctness and reliability of the material contained in this document, the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the contents or any inferences, and expressly disclaims liability for any loss, however caused and whether due to negligence or otherwise, arising directly or indirectly from the use of, inferences drawn, deductions made, or acts done in reliance on, this document or the information contained in it, by any person.

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1. Background

The Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) is the model used to construct Australia’s national greenhouse gas emissions account for the land sector. FullCAM deals with both the biological and management processes which affect carbon pools and the transfers between them in forest and agricultural systems. FullCAM uses data processed from satellite imagery, in combination with input data on land management, climate, and soil, and applies ecosystem models to estimate the flow of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the different carbon pools of the land sector. The exchanges of carbon loss and uptake between the terrestrial biological system and the atmosphere are accounted for in a closed cycle mass balance model which includes all biomass, litter, and soil pools.

The most up-to-date publicly-released version of FullCAM must be downloaded from the Department’s website and used when developing and implementing methodology determinations in the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI). Users of FullCAM can determine estimates of carbon stock change and greenhouse gas emissions for CFI projects on a similar basis to that used for land use and land use change in Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

2. Objectives of this document

FullCAM must be used to model carbon stock change and emissions for some CFI methodology determinations. This document provides an overview of FullCAM. Step-by-step guides for using FullCAM consistent with the requirements of the respective Methodology Determinations are provided in separate guidance documents.

Note: a boxed word indicates a keyboard key. E.g. Tab

3. Overview of FullCAM Plots

FullCAM can run simulations on a ‘plot’ which, for modelling purposes, is defined as an area of land with uniform characteristics. The area of the plot is not applicable as an input for a FullCAM plot simulation, because all quantities are processed by the software on a ‘per hectare’ basis.

In CFI methodology determinations, three of the seven kinds of plots available in FullCAM are most likely to be used:

1. Forest system: The plants modelled within the plot are trees.2. Agricultural system: The plants modelled within the plot are crops.3. Mixed (forest and agricultural) system: A mixed plot includes both forest and agricultural

systems. The Forest Percentage (percentage area of the plot that is forest; the remaining percentage is agricultural) may vary with time from 0% to 100%. Mixed plots allow FullCAM to model transitional systems such as deforestation to an agricultural use or reforestation of pasture.

The user interface of FullCAM displays menus and a series of tabs. Each tab has a suite of fields in which entry of information may be required or may be optional. The program is designed so that

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certain tabs in a plot file are made available only if required fields have valid information entered in earlier tabs. If the text of a tab or field is coloured red, then FullCAM requires information in that tab or field to be entered before a simulation can be run. When all the required fields within a tab have valid information entered, the tab will be coloured blue.

Help is available within FullCAM by clicking on the symbol available in most windows.

By pressing the Tab key after selecting a drop down menu or populating a value, FullCAM accepts the data. The simulation may work without this step, but it is best practice and avoids potential errors. For example, if the plot closes unexpectedly or without saving, the value may be cleared or reverted to a default.

A general overview of each tab follows.

There are only three tabs which users can see when they create a new FullCAM plot:

About: Users enter information about the plot file that they have created. The notes field is a good place to keep track of changes that have been made or edits of event parameters.

Configuration: Users select the system (e.g. forest, agricultural) they want to simulate in the plot.

Timing: Enter the timing for starting and ending the simulation and the time steps required for output data.

Once fields in the above three tabs are populated users can access the following additional tabs:

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Data Builder: In this tab users enter the latitude and longitude of the ‘Model Point Location’ where they wish to simulate a plot file. Internet access is required. By choosing to ‘Download Spatial Data’ the associated soil and climate data for that latitude and longitude are automatically loaded into relevant parts of the remaining tabs. In the tab, users can then download information on tree and / or crop species and management regimes as appropriate. This information is also automatically loaded into relevant parts of the remaining tabs.

Site: Specific parameters (e.g. water [rainfall], temperature, productivity) are described.

Trees: Description of the properties of the tree species.

Crops: Crop or pasture species properties are described.

Soil: Description of soil properties.

Initial Conditions: In this tab the values for carbon at the start of the simulation are described. Values will automatically be populated by Data Builder using data downloaded from the FullCAM server.

Events: All of the events for the entire simulation period are listed in this tab. Users can add or remove events. Care must be taken not to violate rules within FullCAM. For example, harvesting of trees can only occur when trees are already present. The names on the event list are colour-coded to indicate whether they are ready, whether they are running simulations, and what system they affect:

Red: Event not ready (renders event queue not ready)

Grey: Event not simulating (outside simulation period, will not affect simulation)

Green: Forest

Yellow: Agricultural

Brown: Mixed

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Finally, the events which users select with the mouse are coloured in the usual highlight colour.

Output Window: Defines what outputs are presented in output windows.

Explorer: Display of the parameter settings for each tab.

Log: This tab records changes made to the file to assist with analysis and error tracking.

Details of entry of data into each tab in a FullCAM plot file are located, where relevant, in guidance for each CFI methodology determination.

For step-by-step guidance on using a specific Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Methodology Determination, please refer to the relevant specific guidance document.

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