Influence of fire on selected physico-chemical properties of forest soil

Abstract

The aim of the research was to determine whether, and to what extent, a surface fire of forest areas determines changes in physical and chemical properties of the soil. The test material consisted of soil samples taken from soil profiles exposed in a burnt-out area and in an area unaffected by fire. The samples were analyzed for total organic carbon and total nitrogen contents, and also selected indicators of soil acidification. As a result of the tests, it was found that there was a decrease in the levels of organic carbon (by over 75%) and nitrogen (by 50%). A negative effect of the changes was the narrowing of the C/N ratio, a positive one - an increase in soil pH (from 3.14 to 4.67), and a several-times reduction in hydrolytic and exchangeable acidity.