Resumen

Forest fires are the major disturbing factor that can affect soil carbon content in a forest ecosystem and may have a particularly persistent effect on the carbon stock in the affected soils. Purpose of the study performed was to investigate the carbon content and stock changes in a soil under coniferous and mixed stands in result of a forest fire occurred on the north slopes of the Rila Mountain (Dolna Bania region). Stands of Larix deciduas Mill. ranging in age from 25 to 35 years have been affected. Established sampling sites (SS) cover impacts of a crown fire (C1 and C2), surface fire (S1 and S2) and undisturbed stand (control U). Results obtained clearly show the influence of the forest fire on the soil carbon content. For the soil from C1 and C2, where the crown fire prevailed, a decrease in the soil carbon content in comparison with the control values have been observed. Opposite trend was documented for the soil carbon content in sampling sites influenced by surface fire. These values increased with about 1% and reached 3.45% of soil organic carbon (SOC). The SOC stock varied from 1.4 kg/m² to 2.5 kg/m² for the upper 5 cm and from 3.7 kg/m² to 4.6 kg/m² for the lower 15 cm soil layer. Soil from the fire-affected sites accumulated more carbon than the control (unburned) one. This finding is important by confirming the role of forest soil in the global carbon sequestration. The SOC stock values, however, differ depending on the trees species. For the upper 5 cm soil layer, the highest SOC stock was 2.52 kg/m² in the soil of the sampling site, afforested by Scot pine, followed by that below a mixed forest (Pinus sylvestris L. and Quercus cerris L.).

Palabras clave: Forest fire soil carbon carbon stock Rila Mountain.

2018-10-25   |   91 visitas   |   Evalua este artículo 0 valoraciones

Vol. 5 Núm.1. Abril 2014 Pags. 81-88 Ecologia Balkanica 2014; 5(Special Edition)