Impacts of low-intensity prescribed fire on microbial and chemical soil properties in a Quercus frainetto forest

Abstract

Prescribed fire is a common economical and effective forestry practice, and therefore it is important to understand the effects of fire on soil properties for better soil management. We investigated the impacts of low-intensity prescribed fire on the microbial and chemical properties of the top soil in a Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto Ten.) forest. The research focused on microbial soil parameters (microbial soil respiration (R-SM), soil microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and metabolic quotient (qCO(2)) and chemical topsoil properties (soil acidity (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), carbon (C), nitrogen (N), C/N ratio and exchangeable cations). Mean annual comparisons show significant differences in four parameters (C/N ratio, soil pH, Cmic and qCO(2)) while monthly comparisons do not reveal any significant differences. Soil pH increased slightly in the burned plots and had a significantly positive correlation with exchangeable cations Mg, Ca, Mn and K. The mean annual C/N ratio was significantly higher in the burned plots (28.5:1) than in the control plots (27.0:1). The mean annual Cmic (0.6 mg g(-1)) was significantly lower although qCO(2) (2.5 A mu g CO2-C mg Cmic h(-1)) was significantly higher, likely resulting from the microbial response to fire-induced environmental stress. Low-intensity prescribed fire caused very short-lived changes. The annual mean values of C/N ratio, pH, Cmic and qCO(2) showed significant differences.