The Effects of Fire Disturbance on Litter Decomposition and C:N:P Stoichiometry in a Larix gmelinii Forest Ecosystem of Boreal China

Abstract

Fire disturbance can affect the function of the boreal forest ecosystem through litter decomposition and nutrient element return. In this study, we selected the Larix gmelinii forest, a typical forest ecosystem in boreal China, to explore the effect of different years (3 years, 9 years, 28 years) after high burn severity fire disturbance on the decomposition rate (k) of leaf litter and the Carbon:Nitrogen:Phosphorus (C:N:P) stoichiometry characteristics. Our results indicated that compared with the unburned control stands, the k increased by 91–109% within 9 years after fire disturbance, but 28 years after fire disturbance the decomposition rate of the upper litter decreased by 45% compared with the unburned control stands. After fire disturbance, litter decomposition in boreal forests can be promoted in the short term (e.g., 9 years after a fire) and inhibited in the long term (e.g., 28 years after a fire). Changes in litter nutrient elements caused by the effect of fire disturbance on litter decomposition and on the C, N, and C:N of litter were the main litter stoichiometry factors for litter decomposition 28 years after fire disturbance. The findings of this research characterize the long-term dynamic change of litter decomposition in the boreal forest ecosystem, providing data and theoretical support for further exploring the relationship between fire and litter decomposition.

Current Status of Research on Wildland Fire Impacts on Soil Environment and Soil Organisms and Hotspots Visualization Analysis

“…From Figure 4, it can be seen that the keywords separate into six clusters (indicated by colors), indicating that, from 1998 to 2023, there were six important research topics in the field of the impact of wildfires on soil environment: "Wildfire", "Organic matter", "Vegetation", "Black carbon", "Climate Change" and "Burn severity". The results indicate that the current focus is mainly on four aspects: (1) effects of fire on nutrient content, transformation and cycling in soils, and how soil fertility can be improved through fire management [43,44]; (2) the process of restoring ecosystems after fires, including revegetation, soil remediation and restoration of ecological functions [45]; (3) studies towards the effects of climate change on the frequency and intensity of fires and how fires in turn affect the climate system [46]; and (4) analyses of the impact of fire on soil erosion and water erosion and what measures can be taken to mitigate these problems [47].…”