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Frequent Prescribed Burning as a Long‐term Practice in Longleaf Pine Forests Does Not Affect Detrital Chemical Composition
Author(s) -
Coates T. Adam,
Chow Alex T.,
Hagan Donald L.,
Wang G. Geoff,
Bridges William C.,
Dozier James H.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2017.03.0112
Subject(s) - detritus , prescribed burn , environmental science , ecosystem , wildlife , forest ecology , chemical composition , ecology , forestry , chemistry , biology , geography , organic chemistry
The O horizon, or detrital layer, of forest soils is linked to long‐term forest productivity and health. Fuel reduction techniques, such as prescribed fire, can alter the thickness and composition of this essential ecosystem component. Developing an understanding of the changes in the chemical composition of forest detritus due to prescribed fire is essential for forest managers and stakeholders seeking sustainable, resilient, and productive ecosystems. In this study, we evaluated fuel quantity, fuel structure, and detrital chemical composition in longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris Miller) forests that have been frequently burned for the last 40 yr at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center in Georgetown, SC. Our results suggest that frequent prescribed fire reduces forest fuel quantity ( p < 0.01) and vertical structure ( p = 0.01). Using pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry as a molecular technique to analyze detrital chemical composition, including aromatic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, we found that the chemical composition of forest detritus was nearly uniform for both unburned and burned detritus. Our burning activities varied in the short term, consisting of annual dormant, annual growing, and biennial dormant season burns. Seasonal distinctions were present for fuel quantity and vertical fuel structure, but these differences were not noted for the benzene/phenol ratio. These results are significant as more managers consider burning existing longleaf stands while determining effective management practices for longleaf stands yet to be established. Managers of such stands can be confident that frequent, low‐intensity, low‐severity prescribed burns in longleaf pine forests do little to affect the long‐term chemical composition of forest detritus. Core Ideas Long‐term frequent prescribed fire lowered fuel quantity. Detrital chemical composition showed little alteration with fire. Any immediate postfire chemical changes dissipated one year postfire. Wildfire hazard can be reduced while conserving detrital chemistry.