- A case study of 2004 fires at Poker Flat Research Range-

• Main Author: Y. Matsuura
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: permafrost
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.506.4582; http://www.iarc.uaf.edu/workshops/terrestrial_team/indiv_pdf/carbon_loss_forest_floor-top_soil.pdf

Carbon loss after one year of 2004 wildfire was estimated in Poker Flat Research Range (PFRR). By comparing organic C storage at burned site with those of unburned sites, C loss from forest floor/top soil was estimated at three different forest types. Three profiles were surveyed at Picea mariana (black spruce) stands, of which two profiles were located on the burned forest. Heavily burned site showed remarkable permafrost table subsidence below 160cm of mineral soil horizon; on the other hand, permafrost table existed at the depth of 33 cm below mineral soil at the unburned black spruce stand. Forest floor thickness of unburned black spruce stand was 20 to 30 cm. Decline of forest floor thicknesses after wild fire in Betula papyrifera var. humilis (Alaskan paper birch) stands was distinct with slightly scorched top soil, whereas there was not so much decline of forest floor thickness in Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen) stands. Organic C loss from forest floor was estimated as follows; 2.0 – 2.2 kg C m-2 in black spruce stands, 2.6 kg C m-2 in Alaskan paper birch stands, 0.2 kg C m-2 in quaking aspen stands. C loss form top soil (30 cm storage) was not so clear in birch and aspen stands. Further studies on dead root organs and CWD contribution to C storage and loss are needed. 1.