The effects of the September '94 prescribed fire on nitrogen cycling processes within the back gate area of Bandelier National Monument, NM
White CS. The effects of the September '94 prescribed fire on nitrogen cycling processes within the back gate area of Bandelier National Monument, NM. University of New Mexico, Department of Biology. Albuquerque, NM
As part of the continuing effort to understand the effects of prescribed fire on the entire ecosystem, this study investigated the changes in soil nitrogen mineralization patterns for one year following a prescribed fire in an area in Bandelier National Monument near the back gate to Los Alamos Laboratory. The prescribed burn was conducted on Sept. 27, 1994. Soil samples were collected at two locations on 15 May 1992 (see White IN PRESS), on Sept. 27, 1994, prior to the burn and 1 day following the burn (sites A and B'), on Oct. 4, 1994 for site B, in May 1995 8 mo. following the burn (report on these samples submitted to Craig Allen, Bandelier National Monument), and on Oct. 13 1995. The objective of these collections was to determine if the pattern of increased rates of nitrogen mineralization, and specifically nitrification, occurred following the prescribed fire as shown in other studies (White IN PRESS) and to determine if the response persisted one year following the prescribed fire treatment. Within the nutrient cycling literature, it is accepted that fire increases the size of the ammonium pool following combustion. However, there are differing opinions concerning the effect of low intensity prescribed fire on the net rate of inorganic nitrogen production and nitrification in general.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- White, Carleton
- Publisher
- University of New Mexico, Department of Biology
- Units
- BAND
- Keywords
- FIRE, Fire Ecology, Fire Effects, Nitrogen Cycle, Soils