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Topographic variation in burning-induced loss of carbon from organic soils in Tasmanian moorlands
Citation
di Folco, M and Kirkpatrick, JB, Topographic variation in burning-induced loss of carbon from organic soils in Tasmanian moorlands, Catena: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Soil Science, Hydrology, Geomorphology, 87, (2) pp. 216-225. ISSN 0341-8162 (2011) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. The definitive version is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.catena.2011.06.003
Abstract
Although it is known that cool fire can result in carbon loss in organic soils, data are lacking on the effects of
such fire on the distinctive lowland organic soils of the southern hemisphere and on the relationship of fireinduced
carbon loss to topography. We established an experiment to determine the effects of a low severity
burn on organic and total mass of soils, the position of the water table and vegetation cover. We recorded soil
losses directly after the fire, after the first rain and after 4 years. We also recorded losses as a result of the first
rain and at 4 years after a wildfire at another locality with the same vegetation and topography. We compared
soil surface temperatures over summer between burned and unburned moorland. The planned fire resulted in
substantial soil and carbon losses, which, up to 4 years after the wildfire, occurred mostly as a result of the fire
itself and the first rains. The topographic wetness index was strongly related to soil and organic matter loss for
the pooled data for both sites, while fire severity, slope and vegetation cover were less predictive. Burning
increased dissolved organic material in streams; the depth of the water table; and, soil temperatures. The
continuing soil loss on slopes 18 years after fire contrasts with faster recovery on the shelves and in the basins,
reflecting a strong topographic component in variation. Fire is a major influence on the depth of the organic
soils of the southern hemisphere, as in the northern hemisphere. The influence of fire on soils varies markedly
between topographic positions, with the time interval between fires that would maintain organic soils in
basins being markedly less than that necessary to maintain organic soils on slopes. The topographic effect
appears to be a consequence of relative drying rather than relative exposure to water or aeolian erosion or differences in fire severity.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | erosion, fire, peat, soil temperature, topographic position, water table |
Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
Research Group: | Environmental management |
Research Field: | Conservation and biodiversity |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments |
Objective Field: | Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems |
UTAS Author: | di Folco, M (Dr Maj-Britt di Folco) |
UTAS Author: | Kirkpatrick, JB (Professor James Kirkpatrick) |
ID Code: | 72239 |
Year Published: | 2011 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 17 |
Deposited By: | Geography and Environmental Studies |
Deposited On: | 2011-08-24 |
Last Modified: | 2017-10-31 |
Downloads: | 5 View Download Statistics |
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