THE INFLUENCE OF BURNING ON THE SOIL IN THE TIMBER RANGE AREA OF LAC LE JEUNE, BRITISH COLUMBIA: II. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Soil Science
• Main Author: Beaton, J. D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1959
• Subjects: Soil Science; Carbonic acid
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjss59-002; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjss59-002

The effects of fire on certain soil chemical properties were investigated on soil samples taken from the surface organic layer (O horizon) and the immediately underlying leached mineral layer (A 2 horizon) from seven different burns and from corresponding unburned areas present within each burned-over area. Burning resulted in an increase in the pH, total phosphorus content, and CO 2 -soluble calcium content of the O horizon of most of the soils studied. As a consequence of fire, the O horizon was reduced in organic matter, total nitrogen and carbonic acid-soluble phosphorous and magnesium. Most of the effects of fire upon soil chemical properties were apparently restricted to the O horizon since no significant trends were evident in the underlying A 2 horizon.