Naslov
Wildfire Impacts on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties - A Short Review of Recent Studies

Autori
Hrelja, Iva ; Šestak, Ivana ; Bogunović, Igor

Izvornik
ACS - Agriculturae conspectus scientificus (1331-7768) 85 (2020), 4; 293-301

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, pregledni rad, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
wildfires, soil, fire severity, temporal changes

Sažetak
Wildfires are key drivers of changes in soils and the ecosystems. The post-fire changes in soil-system are primarily driven by temperature, but also by duration and severity, as well as different soil characteristics, such as soil organic matter and moisture content. Wildfires affect the soil by heating and later trough ash incorporation in topsoil. Wildfire severity determines the degree of vegetation and litter combustion and the soil physical and chemical modifications. Post-fire changes in soil and hydrological processes in the topsoil layer promote erosion that is often associated with quantitative and qualitative changes in soil organic matter, and its recovery is crucial for the overall recovery of soil quality after a wildfire. The duration and intensity of the changes in soil properties are directly dependent on the severity of the wildfire, which in turn is conditioned by environmental factors such as vegetation quantity and type, soil temperature and humidity, wind speed and topography. This paper reviews various studies on the impacts of fire on soil chemical and physical properties and sums up the current knowledge on the topic that is increasingly becoming a vital factor in understanding the mechanisms of adaptation of the global ecosystem to climate change. It is important to continue the research of wildfire impacts on soil properties so that we can more easily quantify soil degradation processes, predict the ecosystem response to wildfire, and assure the appropriate land management techniques.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

POVEZANOST RADA