The effect of high- and low-intensity experimental fires on soil microorganisms and organic pool was investigated in a Mediterranean maquis area of Southern Italy. The study included evaluation of organic (Corg) and microbial (Cmic) carbon, total and active fungal mycelia, soil potential respiration and catabolic evenness (i.e., uniformity of substrate use) in burned and unburned soils over a 1-year period. The fungal fraction of microbial carbon, metabolic quotient (qCO2: mg CO2-C mg-1Cmic 10 d-1) and coefficient of endogenous mineralization (CEM: mg CO2-C g-1Corg 10 d-1) were also calculated. Organic and microbial C, soil potential respiration, qCO2 and CEM increased at least in the first 3 months after fire. The total and active mycelia and the fungal fraction of microbial carbon decreased throughout the first year after fires. Catabolic evenness decreased in the first week after fires. High-intensity fire produced larger effects on soil microorganisms than low-intensity fire at least in the first week after fire.
Soil microbial community as influenced by experimental fires of different intensities
RUTIGLIANO, Flora Angela;D'ASCOLI, Rosaria;
2002
Abstract
The effect of high- and low-intensity experimental fires on soil microorganisms and organic pool was investigated in a Mediterranean maquis area of Southern Italy. The study included evaluation of organic (Corg) and microbial (Cmic) carbon, total and active fungal mycelia, soil potential respiration and catabolic evenness (i.e., uniformity of substrate use) in burned and unburned soils over a 1-year period. The fungal fraction of microbial carbon, metabolic quotient (qCO2: mg CO2-C mg-1Cmic 10 d-1) and coefficient of endogenous mineralization (CEM: mg CO2-C g-1Corg 10 d-1) were also calculated. Organic and microbial C, soil potential respiration, qCO2 and CEM increased at least in the first 3 months after fire. The total and active mycelia and the fungal fraction of microbial carbon decreased throughout the first year after fires. Catabolic evenness decreased in the first week after fires. High-intensity fire produced larger effects on soil microorganisms than low-intensity fire at least in the first week after fire.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.