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Study Number: |
4031 |
|---|---|
|
Project Title: |
Pre and post-burn forest floor survey of Jacobs Branch and Devils Den burn sites, 1990-1992. |
|
Investigator(s): |
Barry Clinton E-Mail | Tel. 828.524.2128 | Biographical Sketch |
| Affiliated Institution(s): |
USDA Forest Service Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory |
| Address: |
Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory 3160 Coweeta Lab Road Otto, North Carolina 28763 USA |
| Study Category: | Regional |
| Project Type: | Type 1 |
| Study Period: | 1990-1992. |
| Notes: |
|
| Funding Source(s): |
Man and Biosphere Program, Southern Appalachian Forest Ecosystems Project, US Forest Service |
| Abstract: | Changes in aboveground and forest floor mass, carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) pools were quantified on three sites in the southern Appalachians 2 yr after felling and burning. Before felling and burning, stands were characterized by sparse overstories and dense Kalmia latifolia L. understories. Two years after burning, foliar C and N pools had reached 25% and 29% of pretreatment levels, respectively. Foliar N concentrations were not different from pretreatment values. Standing wood C and N pools were 1% and 2%, respectively, of pretreatment values. Wood N concentrations were significantly higher on two sites, likely related to differences in fire intensity. Forest floor N content 2 yr after burning was 90% of pretreatment levels, most contained in unconsumed large woody material. Forest floor mass was significantly lower in the Oi layer and unchanged in the Oe + Oa layers. Forest floor N concentrations were generally lower after treatment. The site with the least intense fire and the lowest mass loss from the forest floor had the highest forest floor, foliage, and wood N concentrations 2 yr after burning. Site recovery after felling and burning was a function of fire severity and the capacity for site-nutrient retention through plant uptake. |
| Location(s), Described: | Devils Den, Jacobs Branch West, Jacobs Branch East. |
| Location(s), Download GPS: | ArcView Shape Files (shp.): Decimal Degrees | UTM, NAD83, Zone 17 |
| Location(s), Online Map(s): | Online Map |
| Methods/Experimental Design: |
Study sites were felled in
the summer of 1990, and burned in September of 1990. On the 1 x 1 m
plots used to determine foliage biomass, a random 0.30 x 0.30 meter
sample of the forest floor was taken. Samples were separated into "L&F",
which was subjectively defined as loose (i.e., could be swept across the
surface with moderate effort) and identifiable organic matter, and "H",
which was composed of un-identifiable organic matter intermixed with the
root mat. Samples were dried at 70 C for at least three days and
weighed. Forest floor was re-sampled using four 0.30 x 0.30 meter
plots located 1 meter to the left of the pre-burn sample plot. Where
possible, L&F and H were separated. However, in most cases, the fires
consumed (or transformed) the L&F layer, leaving the ashed from the L&F
mixed with the H layer. Samples were dried and weighed as before.
9&10/90. Forest floor was re-sampled following the same procedures on
4/9 and 4/11/91. Except in a few cases, it was impossible to
differentiate L&F and H during this sampling. Hence, only a composite
sample was taken.
Site codes: |
| Sampling Frequency: | Variable |
| Data Columns: |
site - coded variable for
sampling site; codes described in Methods/Experimental Design |
| Publications: |
Elliott, K.J., J.M.
Vose, B.D. Clinton. 2002.
Growth of eastern white pine (Pinus strobes
L.) related to forest floor consumption by prescribed fire in the
southern Appalachians. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. 26(1):
18-25. |
| Data Restrictions: | Users must adhere to the Coweeta LTER Data Policy. |
| Metadata: | EML Format (XML Schema) | Information about EML |
| Data Downloads: |
Microsoft® Excel (.xls) Text Comma Delimited (.csv) DBase (.dbf) |