Chemical Aspects of Heather Burning

Allen, S. E.

doi:10.2307/2401318

Cited by 125 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Many scientists 140 measure water colour by determining absorbance per metre using a spectrophotometer on water 141 samples at a particular wavelength. Commonly used wavelengths are 400, 450, 600 and 650 nm but 142 many others have also been used (Grayson and Holden, in press The three early papers that focus on laboratory experimentation (Allen, 1964;Allen et al, 1969; 184 Forgeard and Frenot, 1996) generally concurred that burning does not result in a significant change 185 in nutrients leached from the soil. However, all three papers agreed that pH increased in the upper 186 soil layer as a result of burning.…”

Section: Terminology 131mentioning

confidence: 99%

The impacts of prescribed moorland burning on water colour and dissolved organic carbon: A critical synthesis

Holden

Chapman

Palmer

et al. 2012

Journal of Environmental Management

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33Discolouration of natural surface waters due to the humic component of dissolved organic carbon 34 (DOC) is a costly problem for water supply companies. This paper reviews what is known about 35 the impacts of prescribed moorland vegetation burning on water colour. Relevant research has taken 36 place at three scales: laboratory experiments on peat cores, plot scale sampling of soil waters and 37 catchment scale sampling of stream waters. While laboratory studies suggest burning increases 38 colour production, the evidence from catchment and plot studies is contradictory. Plot studies 39 suggest colour production may decrease or remain unchanged following burning although there is 40 evidence for some transient changes. Catchment studies suggest prescribed moorland burning 41 causes stream water colour to increase, although in most cases the evidence is not clear cut since 42 most studies could not clearly disentangle the effects of burning from those of vegetation cover. The 43 differences in findings between plot and catchment studies may be explained by: i) the short-term 44 nature of some studies which do not measure long-term response and recovery times to burning; ii) 45 the lack of colour measurements from shallow soil depths which contribute more to streamflow than 46 soil water from deeper in the peat; and iii) the possibility of hydrological interactions occurring 47

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Section: Terminology 131mentioning

confidence: 99%

The impacts of prescribed moorland burning on water colour and dissolved organic carbon: A critical synthesis

Holden

Chapman

Palmer

et al. 2012

Journal of Environmental Management

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“…Early research suggested that there may be long-term shortfalls in the replacement of N, P and K (Elliott 1953), however subsequent research concluded that losses would be replaced from atmospheric inputs (Allen 1964;Robertson and Davies 1965;Tucker 2003). The implications for carbon dynamics are unknown at present but, given the advances in research and technology in recent years, the debate over nutrient budgets needs to be revisited.…”

Section: Fire Management In the British Uplandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The future of fire management in the British uplands

Davies¹,

Gray²,

Hamilton³

et al. 2008

International Journal of Biodiversity Science & Management

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SUMMARYPrescribed and wild fires play a significant role in the ecology of upland areas; changes in the frequency and intensity of both can have significant effects on biodiversity and ecosystem function. Whilst the way we manage fire in the future will depend on desired outcomes, the risk of wildfires and the suitability of conditions for prescribed burning will depend on climate, land-use and environmental change. Changes in relative fire risk and hazard therefore need to be carefully considered when setting management policy. Fire has long been used as a management tool in the uplands of the UK but there has been little formal support or training, and emphasis has been placed on traditional knowledge. While there is pressure in some quarters for a reduction in the use of fire, prescribed burning can be used to protect biodiversity assets and reach a range of management objectives. Large areas of old heather excluded from rotational burning pose a significant fire hazard. Wildfires in such areas will be more intense and severe, and more likely to ignite peat, causing considerable environmental damage and releasing large quantities of carbon. We argue for an ecological basis for the use of fire and seek to open a debate by briefly reviewing the main controls on fire risk in upland areas and discussing existing management and its challenges with regards to three case studies: traditionally managed moorland, forestry and peatland soils. We make recommendations for future management and suggest significant challenges exist for managers and researchers that need to be dealt with urgently.

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“…There is concern over the possible degenerative effects of repeated burning on the organic content of soils in lowbush blueberry fields (Trevett 1956). Smith and Hilton (1971) (Smith 1970 (Allen 1964) and P (Smith and James 1978) The effect on N may be particularly important, as N is the element most commonly deficient in Maine's commercial blueberry fields (Trevett 1962 …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%