Effects of Fire on the Chemical Status of Herbaceous Communities of the Derbyshire Dales

Nutrient losses during a winter low-intensity prescribed fire in a Mediterranean forest

“…Percentage loss of P, K and Ca estimated during fires in various vegetation types varies with fire intensity (and sampling methods for recovering ashes), but were always lower than % N losses (Allen, 1964, Arianoutsou andMargaris 1981;Christensen, 1977;De Bano and Conrad, 1978;Evans and Allen, 1971;Grief, 1975;Lloyd, 1971;Raison et al, 1985b). As during this study, the percentage loss often follows the order N, K, P, Ca, 'because loss of N is generally due to volatilization, loss of Ca to transport of ashes, and loss of K and P results from both particulate and non particulate mechanisms' (Raison et al, 1985b).…”

“…All these nutrients, returning to the soil surface, are mostly in mineral and partly in extractable form (Brown and Mitchell, 1986;Christensen, 1977;Covington and Sackett, 1986;De Bano and Klopatek, 1988;Grove et al, 1986;Lewis, 1974;Lloyd, 1971;Walker et al, 1986) and are easily available for the uptake by plants and microorganisms. As most plants and microorganisms are not killed during these low-intensity burnings (Gillon et al, 1987), they are able to immediately utilize these nutrients.…”

“…Some experimental measurements were made from burning of simulated fuel on trays outside and in laboratory (Arianoutsou and Margaris, 1981;Christensen, 1977;De Bano and Klopatek, 1988;Lloyd, 1971;Raison and McGarity, 1979). In similar experiments, the loss of nutrients in particulate and gaseous form was directly measured in smoke (Allen, 1964;De Bell and Ralston, 1970;Evans and Allen, 1971).…”

Effect of winter fire on primary productivity and nutrient concentration of a dry tropical savanna

“…Fire in addition to the damage to plants and alternation to physical environment also change considerably the chemical status of the grassland community (Lloyd, 1971). Increase in plant quality is one of the main reasons for the frequent burning of moist savanna grasslands by man during the dry season (Frost & Robertson, 1987).…”

“…Increase in plant quality is one of the main reasons for the frequent burning of moist savanna grasslands by man during the dry season (Frost & Robertson, 1987). In Britain, Allen (1964), Allen et al (1969) and Lloyd (1971) have investigated the chemical aspects of fire in ericaceous grassland communities. There have been few attempts to document its long-term effect.…”