Modifications Induced in Soil Physico-Chemical Parameters by Experimental Fires at Different Intensities

Giovannini, G.; Lucchesi, Sergio

doi:10.1097/00010694-199707000-00003

Cited by 162 publications

(131 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Soil samples were heated for 30 minutes in a muffle furnace at temperatures of 25°, 150°, 250° and 500°C. These temperatures cover the range that is habitually reached in surface soils affected by fires (Chandler et al, 1983;Giovannini & Lucchesi, 1997;Walker et al, 1986). Soil sample treated at 250ºC was selected for adding black ashes, in a quantity related to plant biomass growing on each soil (Martí, 1998).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Soil Erosion and Conservation Measures in Semiarid Ecosystems Affected by Wildfires

Badía¹,

Martí²,

Charte³

2011

Soil Erosion Studies

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Soil Erosion and Conservation Measures in Semiarid Ecosystems Affected by Wildfires

Badía¹,

Martí²,

Charte³

2011

Soil Erosion Studies

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“…Field experimentation, which could have provided a better understanding of fire behavior and effects in Italian ecosystems (e.g., Giovannini & Lucchesi 1997, Bovio et al 2001, Rutigliano et al 2007), have been limited for similar reasons (Mazzoleni & Esposito 1993).…”

Section: Legislationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Calabri (1981) and Leone et al (1999) argued that the absence of clear guidelines in PB regulations, especially concerning the attribution of responsibilities in the use of fire, has de facto prevented its implementation even when the interest was there. Field experimentation, which could have provided a better understanding of fire behavior and effects in Italian ecosystems (e.g., Giovannini & Lucchesi 1997, Bovio et al 2001, Rutigliano et al 2007), have been limited for similar reasons (Mazzoleni & Esposito 1993).…”

Section: Legislationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prescribed burning in Italy: issues, advances and challenges

Ascoli¹,

Bovio²

2013

iForest

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Prescribed burning has been carried out since the late 1970s in several southern European countries. Italy hosted some pioneer experiences in the early '80s, but these did not follow up into practical implementation, and few studies and applications were carried out in subsequent years. In the last decade, a new interest arose and several experiences were carried out. We aim to illustrate the limitations, advances and challenges of prescribed burning in Italy by reviewing the national literature of the last 40 years on this subject. Unfavorable land characteristics, conflicting management goals, a hostile socio-cultural environment, and an inadequate regulatory framework have supposedly limited the application of prescribed burning in Italy. Nevertheless, in the last 20 years the legislation at the regional level has been updated to consider the use of fire, and new procedures to authorize prescribed fires allowed for experiments and application, even within National Parks. From 2005 to 2012, prescribed burning programs for fire hazard reduction, forest and range management, biodiversity conservation and firefighter training were implemented throughout Italy. Several vegetation and fuel types were involved (e.g., broadleaved and coniferous forests, Mediterranean and continental shrubland, grassland, slash). Studies on fire behavior and effects helped to set prescriptions for specific objectives and environments. Results were transferred to professionals through training sessions. Some of the challenges ahead are improving the legislative framework, e.g., by introducing a certification for the use of fire, and addressing issues of pastoral fire through conflict resolution programs. Prescribed burning in Italy could be developed by committing to carry out ecological studies on its implications to silviculture, range management and habitat conservation.Keywords: Wildfire, Integrated Fire Management, Biodiversity, Historical Fire Use forest cover by conifers, 19.1% of which has an uneven-aged structure, and 13% by broadleaves (Tab. 2 -INFC 2005). On the other hand, shrub communities usually targeted by PB (i.e., heathlands, Mediterranean scrublands) represent 70% of shrub-type formations in the country (INFC 2005). However, Susmel (1973), a leading Italian ecologist of the 20 th century, maintained that PB could accelerate the degradation of Mediterranean scrublands that had been repeatedly burnt by wildfire between the 50s and the 70s. In a national survey on the awareness and perception of fire by professional foresters (Leone et al. 1999), 72% of the interviewees answered that potential damage to vegetation was the main limit to PB implementation in the field.Calabri (1988) highlighted that PB can be problematic in complex topographies and highly variable wind patterns. Some 66% of Italian forests is located at elevations > 500 m, and one third on slopes > 60% (Tab. ). Here, PB covers ~1600 ha yr -1 and is mainly used for fire hazard reduction, also at the rural-urban interface. Strong efforts have been sustain...

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Section: Relating the Pfi To Post-fire Physical Soil Responsementioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, when temperatures are between 200-450 ○ C, soil structure stability decreases within a few minutes [48] and the combustion of organics can change particle size distribution [90]. The laterization process (i.e., when weathering causes depletion of soluble substances in soils and rocks) begins when soils are exposed to temperatures exceeding 450 ○ C for at least one hour [90]. From the reported interaction between soil heating, char color, and mineral soil appearance, one could infer that areas with soil PFI categories 2.0 through 4.0 may experience changes in soil physical properties (e.g., laterization, structural stability, or mineralogical changes) [48,88,91].…”

Section: Relating the Pfi To Post-fire Physical Soil Responsementioning

confidence: 99%

Index for Characterizing Post-Fire Soil Environments in Temperate Coniferous Forests

Jain

Pilliod

Graham

et al. 2012

Forests

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Many scientists and managers have an interest in describing the environment following a fire to understand the effects on soil productivity, vegetation growth, and wildlife habitat, but little research has focused on the scientific rationale for classifying the post-fire environment. We developed an empirically-grounded soil post-fire index (PFI) based on available science and ecological thresholds. Using over 50 literature sources, we identified a minimum of five broad categories of post-fire outcomes: (a) unburned, (b) abundant surface organic matter (>85% surface organic matter), (c) moderate amount of surface organic matter (≥40 through 85%), (d) small amounts of surface organic matter (<40%), and (e) absence of surface organic matter (no organic matter left). We then subdivided each broad category on the basis of post-fire mineral soil colors providing a more fine-tuned post-fire soil index. We related each PFI category to characteristics such as soil temperature and duration of heating during fire, and physical, chemical, and biological responses. Classifying or describing post-fire soil conditions consistently will improve interpretations of fire effects research and facilitate communication of potential responses or outcomes (e.g., erosion potential) from fires of varying severities. OPEN ACCESSForests 2012, 3 446

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Modifications Induced in Soil Physico-Chemical Parameters by Experimental Fires at Different Intensities

Cited by 162 publications

References 13 publications

Soil Erosion and Conservation Measures in Semiarid Ecosystems Affected by Wildfires

Soil Erosion and Conservation Measures in Semiarid Ecosystems Affected by Wildfires

Prescribed burning in Italy: issues, advances and challenges

Index for Characterizing Post-Fire Soil Environments in Temperate Coniferous Forests

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