Frequency of prescribed burning in an upland oak forest determines soil and litter properties and alters the soil microbial community

• Published in: Forest ecology and management Vol. 265; pp. 241 - 247
• Main Authors: Williams, Ryan J., Hallgren, Stephen W., Wilson, Gail W.T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 01.02.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; C/N; Combustion; Fires; Flat panel displays; Forestry; Forests; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Litter; Microorganisms; Nitrogen; Oak; PLFA; Prescribed fire; Soil (material); Soil bulk density; Soil carbon; Synecology; Terrestrial ecosystems; PLFA; Soil bulk density; C/N; Nitrogen; Prescribed fire; Soil carbon; Microbial activity; Forests; Upland area; Phospholipid; Forest soil; Physical environment; Controlled burning; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Hardwood forest tree; Microbial community; Organic compounds; Non metal; Bulk density; Litter; Aliphatic compound; Forest ecology; Group IVA element; Woody plant; Fagaceae; Complex lipid; Physical properties; Fatty acids; Carbon; Biological activity; Group VA element; Quercus; Forestry; Frequency; Spermatophyta
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2011.10.032

► Long-term prescribed burning effects forest litter, soil and microbial community. ► Quadrennial burning compared to no burning has small effect on litter and soil. ► Biennial burning reduces soil carbon and Gram negative bacteria PLFA markers. ► Soil bulk density increases and litter nitrogen decreases with biennial burning. ► Biennial prescribed fire may reduce litter decomposition and soil carbon storage. Prescribed burning is commonly used in forests to reduce fuel load, prevent encroachment of exotic species, maintain biological diversity and improve wildlife habitat. The low intensity burns that are conducted at intervals of 1–10 years may have long-term effects on the abiotic and biotic components of the soil. We assessed how prescribed burning altered litter, soil physical and chemical properties, and soil microbial communities in upland oak forests subjected to prescribed burning at frequencies of 0 (unburned), 2.5 and 5 fires per decade (FPD) over a 20 year period. Prescribed burning at 5 FPD reduced soil organic matter by 60% and soil organic carbon by 64% and increased bulk density by 20%. Compared to unburned controls, litter nitrogen was reduced by 20% and 21% and C/N ratio increased by 25% and 28% in sites burned at 2.5 and 5 FPD, respectively. Litter lignin/N ratio was reduced 28% at 2.5 FPD, compared to litter from unburned sites. We found no changes in soil pH, total N, NO 3-N, NH 3-N, plant-available Ps or K due to prescribed burning. Microbial biomass of Gram negative bacteria, as determined by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analyses, decreased from 25% of biomarker abundance at the unburned sites to 20% at the 5 FPD sites. No other microbial functional group was significantly influenced by fire frequency. Our results indicate prescribed burning with low intensity fires in upland oak forests do not have major effects on the soils if these fires occur infrequently, i.e. less frequent than 2.5 FPD. However, frequent burning of these upland oak forests (5 FPD) resulted in important changes in the litter and soil that may adversely affect litter decomposition rates, soil carbon storage, soil water holding capacity, and soil erosion rates. Our findings indicate prescribed burning can be an important management tool, however, at high fire frequencies there may be tradeoffs between vegetation management goals and long-term adverse affects on the soil.