Effects of post-fire hillslope stabilisation techniques on chemical, physico-chemical and microbiological soil properties in mediterranean forest ecosystems. (15th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gómez-Sánchez, E.; Lucas-Borja, M.E.; Plaza-Álvarez, P.A.; González-Romero, J.; Sagra, J.; Moya, D.; De Las Heras, J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 246(2019)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 238
• Publication Date: 2019-09-15
• Subjects: Postfire restoration tools -- Log erosion barriers -- Contour-felled log debris -- Soil microbiological soil properties; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.05.150
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Postfire restoration practices encompass those which aim to reduce negative wildfire impacts and to improve burned area rehabilitation. Contour-felled log debris (CFD) and log erosion barriers (LEB) are two techniques used worldwide on hillslopes after wildfires in order to avoid soil erosion. In this context, it is essential to evaluate how these restoration techniques can affect soil properties by increasing or decreasing wildfire impacts. The effects on several physico-chemical and biological soil parameters were here investigated by comparing three differently treated post-fire zones. Three randomly 20 × 20 m distributed plots were set up five years after wildfire in the burned and contour-felled log debris areas (CFD plots), three others in the burned and log erosion barriers area (LEB plots) and three others in the burned and unmanaged plots (BNa plots). Three more plots were set up in an unburned area close to the burned area (UB plots). The results revealed that LEB and, to a lesser extent CFD, improved postfire soil quality, which a priori favoured helped the recovery of ecosystem functions. Our results also indicate greater efficacy of LEB and CFD in retaining sediments by limiting loss of nutrients, which is considered essential to recover vegetation after a wildfire. Post-fire restoration plans should consider the use of LEB and CFD when aiming to favour ecosystem recovery processes after wildfires. Highlights: Hillslope treatments improve the microbiological soil properties. Soil properties improvement is more clearly in log erosion barriers. Contour-felled log debris and log erosion barriers generate higher SOM. Log erosion barriers make higher nutrient content.