Micromorphological characteristics of sandy forest soils recently impacted by wildfires in Russia

Abstract

Abstract. Two fire affected soils have been studied using micromorphological methods. The objective of the paper is to assess and compare fire effects on micropedological organization of soils in a forest steppe zone of the Central Russia (Volga Basin, Togljatty city). Samples were collected in the green zone of Togljatti city. The results showed that both soils were rich in quartz, feldspar. Mica was highly present in soils affected by surface fires, while calcium carbonates were identified in the soils affected by crowns. The type of plasma is humus-clay, but the soil assemblage is plasma-silt with the prevalence of the silt. Angular and subangular grains are the most dominant in soil particulates. No evidence of intensive weathering was detected. There was a decreasing of the porosity in soils affected by fires as consequence of soil pores filled with ash and charcoal.

Sustainability of Soils to Fires as a Factor of Preservation the Shape of Steppe Protected Areas

“…The stabilisation of the carbon pool and the increase in the content of nutrients in the soil indicates the stability of the soilplant system in relation to the damaging effects of fire. This is in accordance with studies conducted in the forest-steppe and tropical soils (Yildiz et al, 2010;Vogelmann et al, 2013;Maksimova & Abakumov, 2017). The same structure of organic matter on the results of infrared spectroscopy has not changed.…”