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Effects of forest fire on soil property and greenhouse gas flux.

REN Le1, MA Xiu-zhi2**, LI Chang-sheng3   

  1. (1College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010019, China; 2 College of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010019, China; 3Inner Mongolia Meteorological Administration, Huhhot 010051, China)
  • Online:2014-02-10 Published:2014-02-10

Abstract: Fire is one of the most important disturbance factors in forest ecosystems. Forest fires destroy forest resources and cause greenhouse gases emission from soil to atmosphere. At the same time, forest fires can affect soil physical, chemical and microbial properties, and consequently the fluxes of main greenhouse gases between soil and atmosphere. In this paper, we briefly reviewed the effects of different fire intensities on soil physical properties (such as soil structure, soil density, field water holding capacity and soil gross porosity), soil chemical properties (such as pH, nutrient contents), and soil microbial properties (such as microbial community structure, and microbial biomass C and N). We summarized the variations of soil CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes after different fire intensities and different time intervals, especially in the permafrost areas which are sensitive to global warming. The charcoal could be produced in forest fire under the condition of high temperature and less oxygen. We also summarized management methods for biochar in burned areas such as cleaning or burial, and their effects on soil properties and greenhouse gases fluxes. Finally, some problems unresolved in the research at present are identified, and the perspectives for further study are also proposed.

Key words: photosynthetic parameter, spring maize in Northeast China, drought stress, stem flow rate., root and leaf water potentials