Effects of forest fire on physical and chemical properties of soil

산불이 토양의 물리ㆍ화학적 특성에 미치는 영향

This study was carried out to estimate the effect of forest fire on physical and chemical properties of soil The forest fire was in April 1995 at Kongju of Chungnam. Soil samples were collected at 0~5cm, 5~10cm, and 10~20cm soil depths in September 1998 from the burned and unburned sites. Soil organic matter concentrations at 0~5cm and 5~10cm soil depths were significantly greater in unburned site than in burned site. Soil concentrations were greater in unburned site than in burned site at all soil depths. Cation exchange capacity was significantly higher in unburned site than in burned site at 0~5cm soil depth. There were no differences in available soil P, exchangeable soil K, Ca, and Mg, and pH of soil between burned and unburned sites. Soil water content at 0~5cm soil depth was significantly greater in unburned site than in burned site. Bulk density at 0~5cm soil depth was significantly higher in burned site than in unburned site. Forest fire had an adverse effect on physical and chemical properties of soil in this study, Burning of vegetation and forest 리oor organic matter in burned site may reduce organic matter supply to soil and increase soil erosion. Consequently, forest fire may have adverse influence on long-term site productivity.