Incomplete combustion during vegetation fire can lead to the conversion of plant and soil organic matter (OM) into charcoal. The thermally altered OM is considered to contribute to the stable pool of soil C. Most of the data on thermal alteration of plant material were obtained in the laboratory, whereas fire consequences on ecosystem C storage calls for data collected in natural-fire conditions. The objective of this study was to relate the quality of visually-identified litter charcoal and the temperature recorded during a scrubland prescribed fire.

Póster SSS4-1TU5P-0586, presentado en la Sesión SSS4 Fire effects on forest soils: from short- to long-term effects (co-listed in NH).-- Congreso celebrado del 13-18 de abril 2008, en Viena, Austria.

Peer reviewed