THE INFLUENCE OF BURNING ON THE SOIL IN THE TIMBER RANGE AREA OF LAC LE JEUNE, BRITISH COLUMBIA: II. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

The effects of fire on certain soil chemical properties were investigated on soil samples taken from the surface organic layer (O horizon) and the immediately underlying leached mineral layer (A2 horizon) from seven different burns and from corresponding unburned areas present within each burned-over area. Burning resulted in an increase in the pH, total phosphorus content, and CO2-soluble calcium content of the O horizon of most of the soils studied. As a consequence of fire, the O horizon was reduced in organic matter, total nitrogen and carbonic acid-soluble phosphorous and magnesium. Most of the effects of fire upon soil chemical properties were apparently restricted to the O horizon since no significant trends were evident in the underlying A2 horizon.