6533b832fe1ef96bd129ae30
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Post-fire soil functionality and microbial community structure in a Mediterranean shrubland subjected to experimental drought.
Antonio ParraVito Armando LaudicinaJosé M. MorenoM. Belén Hinojosasubject
Mediterranean climateIrrigationEnvironmental Engineering010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciencesSettore AGR/13 - Chimica AgrariaGrowing season01 natural sciencesFiresShrublandSoilparasitic diseasesEnvironmental ChemistryPrecipitationEnzyme activityWaste Management and DisposalEcosystemSoil Microbiology0105 earth and related environmental sciencesBiomass (ecology)geographygeography.geographical_feature_categoryBacteriaEcologySoil nutrientMicrobiotafungiFungifood and beverages04 agricultural and veterinary sciencesFireAridPollutionDroughtsAgronomyFatty acid profileSpainSoil water040103 agronomy & agriculture0401 agriculture forestry and fisheriesEnvironmental scienceRain-out shelterSoil moisturedescription
Fire may cause significant alterations in soil properties. Post-fire soil dynamics can vary depending, among other factors, on rainfall patterns. However, little is known regarding variations in response to post-fire drought. This is relevant in arid and semiarid areas with poor soils, like much of the western Mediterranean. Furthermore, climate change projections in such areas anticipate reduced precipitation and longer annual drought periods, together with an increase in fire severity and frequency. This research evaluates the effects of experimental drought after fire on soil dynamics of a Cistus-Erica shrubland (Central Spain). A replicated (n = 4) field experiment was conducted in which the total rainfall and its patterns were manipulated by means of a rain-out shelters and irrigation system. The treatments were: environmental control (natural rainfall), historical control (average rainfall, 2. months drought), moderate drought (25% reduction of historical control, 5. months drought) and severe drought (45% reduction, 7. months drought). After one growing season under these rainfall treatments, the plots were burned. One set of unburned plots under natural rainfall served as an additional control. Soils were collected seasonally. Fire increased soil P and N availability. Post-fire drought treatments reduced available soil P but increased N concentration (mainly nitrate). Fire reduced available K irrespective of drought treatments. Fire reduced enzyme activities and carbon mineralization rate, a reduction that was higher in post-fire drought-treated soils. Fire decreased soil microbial biomass and the proportion of fungi, while that of actinomycetes increased. Post-fire drought decreased soil total microbial biomass and fungi, with bacteria becoming more abundant. Our results support that increasing drought after fire could compromise the resilience of Mediterranean ecosystems to fire.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-01-13 | The Science of the total environment |