2021
DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15648
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Low‐intensity frequent fires in coniferous forests transform soil organic matter in ways that may offset ecosystem carbon losses

Abstract: The impact of shifting disturbance regimes on soil carbon (C) storage is a key uncertainty in global change research. Wildfires in coniferous forests are becoming more frequent in many regions, potentially causing large C emissions. Repeated low‐intensity prescribed fires can mitigate wildfire severity, but repeated combustion may decrease soil C unless compensatory responses stabilize soil organic matter. Here, we tested how 30 years of decadal prescribed burning affected C and nitrogen (N) in plants, detritu… Show more

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Cited by 38 publications
(12 citation statements)
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“…For example, minimizing soil disturbance and erosion through less frequent tillage or the protection of the soil surface, promoting vegetation that sustains or increases organic matter inputs to the soil, and directly adding (or redistributing) surface organic matter are associated with sustained or increased SOC stocks in agricultural and forest soils (Guo & Gifford, 2002; Vance, 2000). Fires may result in an immediate net loss of SOC, but can also make the remaining SOC less decomposable, with the potential for longer‐term feedbacks that promote SOC accumulation (Pellegrini et al, 2021).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…For example, minimizing soil disturbance and erosion through less frequent tillage or the protection of the soil surface, promoting vegetation that sustains or increases organic matter inputs to the soil, and directly adding (or redistributing) surface organic matter are associated with sustained or increased SOC stocks in agricultural and forest soils (Guo & Gifford, 2002; Vance, 2000). Fires may result in an immediate net loss of SOC, but can also make the remaining SOC less decomposable, with the potential for longer‐term feedbacks that promote SOC accumulation (Pellegrini et al, 2021).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Decomposition and fire have typically been studied separately, even though they can strongly interact (Cornelissen et al., 2017; Hyde et al., 2011). For example, repeated, low‐intensity fires can reduce microbial CO 2 respiration rates and extracellular enzyme activity in coniferous forests, which may promote mineral soil C storage (Pellegrini et al., 2021). Additionally, decomposition is highly sensitive to nutrient availability and prescribed burning can deplete N and P litter stoichiometry, further slowing litter decay (Butler et al., 2019).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Short-term organic C stock reduction after fire can be compensated in the long term by multiple transformations that increase the stability of organic matter and potentially buffer C emissions due to heterotrophic respiration (Pellegrini et al, 2021). Fire can alter the stability of soil organic matter by changing its physical protection and its biochemical quality.…”
Section: Impact Of Fire Management On Soil C Stabilitymentioning
confidence: 99%