Long-term dynamics of soil chemical properties after a prescribed fire in a Mediterranean forest (Montgri Massif, Catalonia, Spain)

This study examines the effects of a prescribed fire on soil chemical properties in the Montgri Massif (Girona, Spain). The prescribed forest fire was conducted in 2006 to reduce understory vegetation and so prevent potential severe wildfires. Soil was sampled at a depth of 0-5 cm at 42 sampling points on four separate occasions: prior to the event, immediately after, one year after and nine years after. The parameters studied were pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+). All parameters (except pH) increased significantly immediately after the fire. One year after burning, some chemical parameters - namely, EC, available P and K+ - had returned to their initial, or even lower, values; while others - pH and total C - continued to rise. Total N, Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels had fallen one year after the fire, but levels were still higher than those prior to the event. Nine years after the fire, pH, total C, total N and available P are significantly lower than pre-fire values and nutrients concentrations are now higher than at the outset but without statistical significance. The soil system, therefore, is still far from being recovered nine years later. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.