Forestry Update – November 17

Low-intesity prescribed burns usually have no adverse effects on the soil and may improve soil properties in some situations. The burns also have little, if any, adverse effects on soil erosion, even on relatively steep slopes. The fire volatizes nitrogen, but this is offset by increased nitrogen-fixing soil microorganisms.

Repeated burning may affect available phosphorus, exchangeable calcuim and organic matter. The calcium and phosphorus, however, are partially retained in the lower mineral soil horizons. High-intensity precribed fires also have a temporary negative effect from volatilization of sulfur and some cation loss from ash convesction.