Microbial properties and litter and soil nutrients after two prescribed fires in developing savannas in an upland Missouri Ozark Forest

Felix Ponder Jr.; Mahasin Tadros; Edward F. Loewenstein

Treesearch

Microbial properties and litter and soil nutrients after two prescribed fires in developing savannas in an upland Missouri Ozark Forest

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Felix Ponder, Jr., Mahasin Tadros, Edward F. Loewenstein

Year:

2009

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Forest Ecology and Management. 257: 755-763.

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Abstract

On some landscapes periodic fire may be necessary to develop and maintain oak-dominated savannas. We studied the effects of two annual prescribed burns to determine their effect on microbial activity and soil and litter nutrients 1 year after the last burn. Surface litter and soil from the upper 0?5 cm soil layer in three developing savannas (oak-hickory, Quercus-Carya), oak-hickory-pine (Quercus-Carya-Pinus), and pine (Pinus) were collected one year after the second of two annual prescribed burns. Surface litter was analyzed for nutrients and soil was analyzed for phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and nutrients.

Keywords

disturbance/fire, belowground systems, forest vegetation management, Savanna development

Citation

Ponder, Felix, Jr.; Tadros, Mahasin; Loewenstein, Edward F. 2009. Microbial properties and litter and soil nutrients after two prescribed fires in developing savannas in an upland Missouri Ozark Forest. Forest Ecology and Management. 257: 755-763.