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ABSTRACT

THE EFFECT OF PRESCRIBED BURNING ON THE PROPERTIES
OF THE GRAYLING SOIL SERIES IN UPPER MICHIGAN

by David Glenn Scholl

Burning as a widely used forest management practice has
been studied for some time with respect to its influence on
soil properties. Conclusions as to its influence on a wide
variety of soil and environmental conditions are very general.
Concerning Specific properties some apparent contradictions
exist in the literature.

The present study involved the effect of slash and
litter burning on a sandy, relatively unproductive soil in
northern Michigan. Using units of measure which express the
actual amount of a nutrient in a genetic horizon below one
square centimeter of surface area, certain important trends
following burning were noted as follows: significant re-
ductions were noted for the 0 plus Al horizons following slash
and litter burning, in total organic carbon, total nitrogen,
mineralizable nitrogen, extractable bases, field soil moisture,
and water retention capacity. The total quantity of extract-
able phOSphorus in the 0 plus Al horizons and the pH and base

saturation increased following burning.

David Glenn Scholl

These results when expressed on a concentration or
percentage basis (as in much of the literature) showed that
burning enriched the O and Al horizons in most of the above
nutrients. Many of the published studies failed to utilize
changes in mass of those horizons associated with burning

in determining the influence of burning.

THE EFFECT OF PRESCRIBED BURNING ON THE PROPERTIES

OF THE GRAYLING SOIL SERIES IN UPPER MICHIGAN

BY

David Glenn Scholl

A THESIS

Submitted to
Michigan State University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Department of Soil Science

1966

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author wishes to express his gratitude to
Dr. E. P. Whiteside for his guidance in conducting this
study. He also appreciates the advice and criticism of
other faculty members of the Soil Science and Forestry
Departments and of fellow graduate students.

Gratitude is extended to the U.S.D.A. Forest Service
and particularly to S. C. Trotter, Supervisor, Hiawatha
National Forest, and E. W. Neuman, Party Chief, Forest Soil
Survey, for their encouragement and advice.

To his wife, Nancy, he is thankful for her encourage—

ment and assistance in preparing the manuscript.

ii

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . .
LITERATURE REVIEW. . . . . . . .

Chemical Properties . . . . .
Physical Properties . . . .
Other Morphologic Properties.
Soil Productivity . . . . . .

Summary of Literature Reviewed.

GEOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF THE STUDY

Geology . . . . . . . . . . .
Ecology . . . . . . . .

SITE SELECTION, SOIL DESCRIPTION

Site Selection. . . . . . . .
Soil Description. . . . . . .
Soil Sampling . . . . . . . .

LABORATORY PROCEDURES. . . . . .

Chemical Analyses . . . . . .
Physical Analyses . . . . . .

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . . . . .

Chemical Properties . . . . .
Physical Properties . . . . .
Profile Summation . . . . . .
Horizon Relationships . . .

AREA.

Soil Comparisons and Classification

Loss Mechanisms . . . . . . .

SUMMARY. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Influence of Burning on Soil Properties
Additional Investigations Needed.

LITERATURE CITED. . . . . . . . . . .

APPENDIX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iii

Page

12
13
14
16

16
17

21
21
25
27
34

54
58

41
42
53
57
62
63
66
67

67
68

69

74

TABLE

1A.

1B.

2A.

2B.

5A.

5B.

LIST OF TABLES

Chemical properties of horizons on unburned
and burned sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Probabilities that the observed differences in
carbon and nitrogen are due to chance. . . . .

Chemical properties of horizons on unburned
and burned sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Probabilities that the observed differences in
extractable calcium, potassium, magnesium and
phosphorus are due to chance . . . . . . . . .

Moisture retention and field moisture of hori-
zons on unburned and burned sites. . . . . . .

Probabilities that the observed differences in
moisture retention and field moisture are due
to chance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Distribution of carbon and nitrogen in the
profiles on unburned and burned sites. . . . .

Distribution of extractable calcium, potassium
and phOSphorus in the profiles on unburned and
burned sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Distribution of moisture retention and field
moisture of the profiles on unburned and
burned sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Probabilities that the observed differences in
chemical and physical properties, in the pro-
file above the A2 or Bir horizons, are due to
chance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Carbon and nitrogen in the horizons on
unburned and burned sites. . . . . . . . . . .

Extractable calcium, potassium, magnesium and

phosphorus of horizons on unburned and burned
sites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iv

Page

43

44

49

SO

54

55

58

59

6O

61

75

76

LIST OF TABLES - Continued

TABLE

10.

11.

12.

13.

Page
Mineral nitrogen in horizons on unburned and
burned sites before and after incubation. . . . 77
Base exchange properties and pH of horizons on
unburned and burned sites . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Physical properties of horizons on unburned and
burned sites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Moisture retention of horizons on unburned and
burned sites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8O

LIST OF PLATES

PLATE

1. Unburned upper soil profile . . . . .
2. Burned upper soil profile . . . . . .
5. Ground vegetation on unburned area. .

4. Ground vegetation on the burned area.

vi

Page

30
51
52

55

I. INTRODUCTION

Prescribed burning is used as a forest management
practice in the removal of slash, following clear cutting in

even-aged stands of Jack pine (Pinus banksiana) in Upper

 

Michigan. The effects of prescribed burning on soil proper—
ties, in this and other important forested areas, has for
some time been a debated question. Many apparent contra-
dictions as to the effects of prescribed burning on soil
properties may be found in the literature (Ahlgren and
Ahlgren, 1960). It is therefore difficult to make general
statements about the effects of burning on soil properties
and conclusions need to be restricted to the area which is
being studied. Variations of soil texture and topography are
among the more important factors which are reported to re—
strict the use of general statements (Metz et al, 1961).

This study will concern the effects of prescribed burn-
ing of Jack pine slash on the chemical and physical properties
of the Grayling soil-series in Upper Michigan. Three prin—
ciples to be used, which have not been generally used in the
forest soil literature in the United States, are as follows:
1) All samples analyzed represent genetic soil hOrizons;

2) Quantitative data will be presented in metric units for

each genetic horizon; 3) The terms "duff" or "forest floor”

will not be used, except in the literature review, instead,
the horizon designation used by the Soil Survey Staff (1962)
or O horizon will be used. The O horizon will be treated as
an integral part of the soil system and so will be analyzed

and evaluated as one of the several genetic horizons.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

Most studies involving prescribed burning in the
United States are concerned with either slash burning or
repeated litter burning. Tarrant (1956) and Fuller (1955).
working in the Douglas fir region of western United States,
have classified slash burning into two intensities, light
and severe. Light burning generally refers to those fires
which destroy most of the undecomposed litter but generally
do not destroy the entire forest floor (0 horizon). Severe
burning completely destroys the forest floor (0 horizon),
and if temperatures are high enough, may alter both the
chemical and physical properties of the mineral soil.
Tarrant (1956) emphasizes the importance of clearly defining
these terms and stresses that the proportions of a given
area burned to the various degrees should be determined.

The objectives of prescribed burning include reduc-
tion of wildfire hazard (Fuller, 1955; Tarrant, 1956),
improvement of conifer seed beds, opening of cone scales in
Species such as Jack pine (Chrosciewiez, 1959), and the
destruction of competing vegetation (Metz et al, 1961).

In order to organize the information in the literature, the
effects of burning on soils will be grouped according to
the following tOpics: chemical properties, physical proper-

ties, other morphologic properties, and soil productivity.

Chemical Properties

(Soil reaction, available Ca, K, Mg, total nitrogen, N03
nitrogen, and organic matter)

Reaction

It is reasonable to predict an increase in soil pH
from the burning of surface litter when considering that the
oxidation of organic compounds liberates basic mineral ele—
ments and destroys organic acids and organic colloids
(Ahlgren and Ahlgren, 1960). Most of the studies reviewed
did indicate that soil pH was increased by burning, including
the following: Alway (1928), Austin and Baisinger (1955),
Barnette and Hester (1930), Isaac and Hopkins (1937), Lunt
(1951), and Metz et al (1961). Tarrent (1956), working in
the Douglas fir region, found significant differences in
soil pH between unburned, light burned, and severely burned
soils. The severe burning resulted in the greatest pH in-
crease, and the rate of reduction of pH following the burn
was slower on the severe than on the light burn. Soil reaction
declined, after four years, on the severe burn from pH 7.2 to
pH 5.0. In the same time period the light burn was reduced

from pH 7.1 to pH 4.6.

Calcium

Available soil calcium, as expected, correlates closely
with increases in pH. In the southeastern United States,
significant increases of available calcium following burning

were reported by Heyward and Barnette (1934), Barnette and

Hester (1930), and Metz et al (1961). Vlamis et al (1955)
reported similar increases in the Ponderosa pine region, as
did Isaac and Hopkins (1937), Fowells and Stephenson (1933),
and Tarrent (1956), for soils of the Douglas fir region.

Lunt (1951) reported an increase in exchangeable calcium under
red and white pine forests after burning. Lutz (1956) found

a seven—fold increase in exchangeable calcium following fires
in Alaska. Austin and Baisinger (1955), working with soils

in western Washington and Oregon, found an increase in calcium
of 830% resulting from the burning of slash. Two years later
the calcium level was still 327% higher than in the unburned
areas. Finn (1934), however, found that leaching after burn-
ing caused a loss of calcium in both sandy and loamy soils.
The work of Austin and Baisinger (1955) and Isaac and Hopkins
(1937) indicates that calcium tends to show the greatest
proportional increase of the major basic elements as a result

of burning.

Potassium and Magnesium

Isaac and Hopkins (1937) also found that available
potassium and magnesium were increased by burning. Austin
and Baisinger (1955) noted that available potassium was
initially increased 166% with a drop to 112% two years later,
while available magnesium was initially increased 337% with
a drop to normal levels in two years. Burns (1952) and Metz
et al (1961) found significant increases in potassium and

magnesium resulting from repeated litter burning in the

Atlantic Coastal Plain. Finn (1934), however, stated that
the leaching which follows most burning decreases soil

potassium.

PhOSphorus

 

The reports on the effect of burning on available phos—
phorus are somewhat conflicting. Austin and Baisinger (1955),
Tarrant (1956), Fuller (1955), and Vlamis (1955), working in
western United States, and Metz et al (1961), in the Atlantic
Coastal Plain found significant increases in available phos—
phorus following burning. Lutz (1956) observed no signifi-
cant change in available phOSphorus on the New Jersey Coastal
Plain, as did Isaac and Hopkins (1937) and Fowells and
Stephenson (1933) in the Douglas fir region. Valais et al
(1955) discovered that on sandy loam there was a marked in-
crease in available phOSphorus following burning, while on
loam there was no significant difference. The two results
differed because of a higher phosphorus fixation capacity of
the loam. Ahlgren and Ahlgren (1960) attributed some of
the apparent contradictions in the literature concerning
available phosphorus levels, after burns, to the variable

fixation capacity of the sites tested.

Total Nitrogen

 

Total nitrogen contents, as affected by burning, also
tend to vary with soil and site. Burns (1952) and Metz et al
(1961) found significant increases in total nitrogen due to

burning in the mineral soil on the Atlantic Coastal Plain.

Isaac and Hopkins (1937) discovered no important increase in
total nitrogen due to burning in the mineral soil. Barnette
and Hester (1930), however, noted a loss of 1,125 lb/acre of
nitrogen from the duff in 42 years of annual litter burning,
while Isaac and Hopkins (1937) found a loss of 594 lb/acre
of nitrogen from the duff, following Douglas fir slash burn—
ing. Lunt (1951) noted higher total nitrogen after burning
under red and white pine stands in the northeastern states.
On the other hand, in a slash burning study in the Pacific
Northwest, Austin and Baisinger (1955) discovered a 67% loss
of nitrogen in the upper 12 inches of the mineral soil with
a 75% recovery of the loss two years later. Tarrant (1956)
noted that, following severe burning in Douglas fir slash,
total nitrogen was seriously reduced in the mineral soil.
Klemmedson et al (1962), working in northern California in
the Ponderosa pine area, found that severe slash burning
reduced the rate of addition of total nitrogen to the mineral

soil as compared to slight and no burning.

Nitrification and Mineralization of Nitrogen

 

Fowells (1934), working in the Douglas fir region,
evaluated the effects of prescribed burning on nitrate pro—
duction. He found that the mineral soil from severely burned
plots, following an eight week incubation, contained seven
times as much N03 as did the unburned. Burning, through an
increase in soil reaction, strongly favors the bacterial

population over the fungi, which results in the increased

N03 production. Tarrant (1956) also notes that light slash
burning increases nitrification. Isaac and Hopkins (1937)
indicated that slash burning in the Douglas fir region in—
creases nitrification in the duff and mineral soil. Ahlgren
and Ahlgren (1960), summarizing the work of Kivekas (1939)
indicate that while ammonification is less as a result of
burning, the nitrification process is greatly increased due

to the effects of the changed pH on bacterial growth.

Organic Matter

 

The extent to which soil organic matter is destroyed
by fire is very largely a factor of the fire intensity and
duration, the extent to which the organic matter is incor-
porated in the soil, and the type of pre-burn vegetation
(Ahlgren and Ahlgren, 1960).

Heiberg (1941) states that fire does not affect organic
material incorporated in the mineral soil, probably because
soil temperatures below the surface inch are not raised
high enough during most fires. Austin and Baisinger (1955)
note that the organic matter content of the surface one-half
inch of mineral soil following severe slash burning in
western Oregon and Washington is reduced as much as 75.5%.
Two years later the organic content was still 50% below
normal. Isaac and Hopkins (1937) found organic matter was
reduced by one-third in the surface three inches of soil
following intense Douglas fir slash.fires. Barnette and

Hester (1930), working in Florida, compared soils which had

received annual litter burning for 42 years with those having
had no burning. They discovered a loss of 121,289 lb/acre of
organic matter from the burning of the duff.

Metz et al (1961), working on the outer Atlantic Coastal
Plain, noted significant increases in percent organic matter
(Walkley—Black and loss—on-ignition method) in the surface
two inches of the mineral soil following annual litter burning
for 10 years. The author attributed the increase in organic
matter by both methods to the movement of superfically charred
organic materials, in a finely divided state, from the litter
into the mineral soil. A significant difference, attributed
to the inclusion of charcoal in the loss on ignition data,
was found between the two methods of analysis. The burned
area showed a greater difference between the two methods,

suggesting more charcoal on the burned site.
Physical Properties

The physical properties that will be considered in re-
lation to burning include, field moisture, pore Space and

bulk density, infiltration, and temperature.

Soil Moisture

Blaisdell (1953), studying burning of sagebrush and
grasslands in the West, noted that any reduction in moisture
content, even in the top one-half inch of soil, was only
temporary. Greene 01935) and Wahlenburg et al (1939) noted no
difference in soil moisture content following burning in the

longleaf pine region.

10

Heyward (1939), on the other hand, working with longleaf
pine stands in the southern United States, found that annual
litter burning reduced field soil moisture as much as 66%.

The reduction of field moisture was thought to be due to the
removal of the duff, in closed stands, and a thick grass

mulch in Open stands, which allowed for increased evaporation.

Pore Space and Bulk Density

 

Tarrant (1956) investigated pore space and bulk density
in the Douglas fir region of the western United States. He
found.that severe slash burning reduced the non-capillary
pore Space and the infiltration rate by one-half. Severe
burning increased capillary pore Space and bulk density as
compared to light and no burning. Metz et al (1961), working
on the outer Atlantic Coastal Plain, discovered no significant
difference in bulk density and porosity following annual and
periodic litter burning. Slight increases in pore volume
and decreases in bulk density following repeated litter burn-
ing were noted by Burns (1952) working in the New Jersey Pine
Barrens. Heyward (1937) noted compaction of surface soil
horizon following repeated litter burning in the longleaf pine

region.

Infiltration

 

Arend (1941), working in the Ozark Plateau region,
investigated the effects of annual litter burning and litter

removal on infiltration rates. He discovered that burning

11

reduced infiltration rates 38%, while removal of the litter
reduced them 18%- He explains the difference by considering
that the burned area not only has the channels within the

duff that conduct water into the mineral soil removed, but

the mineral soil has been exposed to raindrop impact many
times in the past. Fuller (1955), working in northern Arizona,
and Tarrant (1956) wdrking in the Douglas fir region, have
found reductions in surface soil permeability following severe
Slash burning; however, Veihmeyer and Johnson (1944) found
infiltration rates of brushlands in California unimpaired by
burning. Metz et al (1961) also noted no significant differ-
ence in percolation rates following repeated litter burning.
Burns (1952) discovered a small increase in infiltration

following repeated burning on the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

Temperature During and After Burning

Temperatures recorded during fires cover a wide range
at different seasons, under diverse weather conditions, and
varying type and quantity of fuel (Ahlgren and Ahlgren, 1960).
Isaac and Hopkins (1937) noted temperatures of 18410F above
the forest floor and 6080F one inch below, in piled Douglas
fir slash fires. Heyward (1938), reporting soil temperatures
during litter fires in the longleaf pine region, has found
that in the upper one-quarter inch of soil, temperatures
reached 1500F to 175OF for two to four minutes. At the one-
half inch depth, the rise in temperature was negligible,

but in some cases reached 1900F. Beaufait (1960) has

12

reported maximum temperatures in Jack pine slash in Michigan
at 1, 5, 9, 13, and 17 feet above ground. He reports that
temperature maxima varied, depending upon slash density,

from 14000F, at one foot above ground, to an average of 6000F
at 17 feet above ground. Isaac (1930) noted that surface
soil temperature, following Douglas fir Slash fires on hot
summer days reached as much as 14OOF, while unburned surfaces
reached only 125OF. It was found that, following three days
of the above temperature on the burned area, 100% of the
Douglas fir seedlings growing there were killed, while only 16%
were killed on the unburned area. Pearse (1943) noted that
soil temperatures on previously burned areas were higher dur—
ing the day and lower at night. These differences could be

detected for at least five years after burning.
Other Morphologic Properties

Heyward (1934), working in the longleaf pine regions of
the Atlantic Coastal Plain, found the following morphologic
changes resulting from burning. In areas of annual litter
burning the 01 and 02 horizons were completely destroyed.

The Al horizon had become compact and massive and all signs
of faunal life, except for ants, were missing. The major
portion of the organic materials were being added by grass
roots rather than forest litter.

After ten years without burning, a forest floor of one

and one-half inches under closed stands had developed.

13

A thick mulch of perennial grasses had accumulated under open
stands. The A1 horizon had become loose and permeable and

a wide variety of soil fauna had returned. Burns (1952) noted
that moderate litter burning in the New Jersey pine barrens
reduced the total thickness of the 0 horizon from 2.5 to 0.8
inches,.the L layer from 1.3 to 0.3 inches, the F layer from

0.6 to 0.2 inches, and the H layer from 0.5 to 0.3 inches.
Soil Productivity

The effects of burning on soil productivity as reported
in the literature are quite varied; however, soil and type
of plants grown also vary widely. Heikinheimo (Ahlgren and
Ahlgren, 1960) carried out tests in which ash was added to
neutral sand and peat, and the germination and growth of pine,
spruce, birch, and alder was studied. He recorded that the
higher concentrations of ash hindered germination and growth
of all four Species. Tryon (1948) reported decreased germi—
nation of white pine seed in soil to which charcoal had been
added. Perry (1935) found growth of both white and red pine
better on unburned soil. Arnould (Ahlgren and Ahlgren, 1960)
discovered that trees grew poorly for 100 years after fire
on clay soil. He believed this to be the result of compaction
of the soil as a result of burning. Isaac and Hopkins (1937)
noted that the survival and growth of Douglas fir seedlings
were poorer on burned areas.

From phytometer studies of pitch pine in New Jersey,

Lutz (1934) found no consistent differences in fertility of

14

burned and unburned soils. Heyward and Barnette (1934) noted
no important differences in soil fertility following burning
in the longleaf pine region. On the other hand, Tarrant
(1956) working with Douglas fir, found that seed germination
was not affected using artificially heated soil, ash-sand
mixtures of varying concentration, and soils from slash burned
areas. He concluded that relatively high pH (9.8) does not
affect the germination of Douglas fir. Tarrent also noted
that one and two year old Douglas fir seedling growth under
natural conditions was not inhibited; however, there was a
reduction of the number of external mycorrhizae in the burned
soils. In the longleaf pine region frequent light burning
does not appear to harm soil productivity (Burns, 1952).
Wahlenberg (1935) noted that forage plants, corn, and Slash
pine seedlings, grew better on frequently burned areas than
elsewhere. Longleaf pine saplings grew faster on unburned
plots than on burned plots, although burning did not affect
diameter growth of older longleaf pine (Wahlenberg et al,

1939).
Summary of Literature Reviewed

In Spite of the many apparent contradictions to be found
concerning the effects of burning on soils, as indicated
below, certain broad conclusions may be gathered from the
literature. It must, however, be remembered that interaction

of many factors such as soil texture, soil structure, type

15

and intensity of burning, climate, relief, and vegetation

type all.tend to confound the effects of burning.

Conclusions

 

1).A part or all of the unincorporated organic matter
,is destroyed, depending on type and severity of burning.
Nitrogen and carbon are consequently lost.

2) Only under intense slash fires is organic matter.
incorporated in the mineral layers, lost.

3) Soil temperatures are generally higher during the
day and cooler at night on burned soil areas.

4) Severe or often repeated burning tends to decrease
infiltration and increase bulk density.

5) Burning usually increases pH and available nutrient
concentrations in the surface of the mineral soil. Organic
matter and nitrogen may also be increased.

6) Burning usually stimulates nitrification.

7) Reports of the effect of burning on soil productivity
vary widely, and each Situation needs to be considered

individually.

III. GEOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF THE STUDY AREA

The study area in this investigation is in the north-
west part of the Stonington Peninsula of Delta County,
Michigan. It is bordered on the west by Little Bay de Noc,

on the east and south by Squaw Creek, and on the north by

highway U.S. 2.
Geology

Sinclair (1960) has mapped the area as a sandy glacial—
lake deposit. Hough (1958) has indicated from evidence of
two Valder's age recessional moraines in Delta County, that
518 the ice front retreated across the study area, glacial
ILake Algonquin (8000 years before present 1 500) had already

IkDegun to lower toward the "Upper Group" of lake stages.
IIEnterpolating from Leverett and Taylor (1915), figure 8, page
44:259 and Plate XXIV, this level would be between 750 feet (Lake
ifixtlggonquin maximum) and 700 feet ("Upper Group" lake levels).
.IFVlfwonlthe fact that the elevation of the study area is 625.:
31-535 feet, it can be seen that the sandy parent materials were
91-EEl4iud down in the Shallow waters (approximately 100 feet deep)
CDJ1Er <glacial Lake Algonquin. With the rather rapid lowering
C>zf5- lake levels from the "Upper Group" to the Lake Chippewa
est:eElge 6000 to 8000 years before present, the entire present

61 Eifiz" Green Bay area became drained (Hough, 1958).

16

17

It is apparent therefore that the study area became
drained soon after the "Upper Group" of lake stages was
reached- ,During Lake Nipissing time the lake level in the
Michigan basin again returned to 610 feet near the study
area, but apparently did not inundate the major portion of
the area (Leverett and Taylor, 1915). It may then be con-
cluded that the parent materials in the area were exposed

and soil development began about 8000 years before present.

Ecology

The majority of the well-drained sandy soils in the
study area are Grayling and Rubicon sand (Soil Survey Staff,
U.S. Forest Service, Aug. 19, 1963). The major tree species

is Jack pine, Pinus banksiana, but an occaSional large red

 

pine, Pinus resinosa, and some northern red oak, Quercus

 

borealis, may be found (Dodge, 1920). Some stands of

Populus tremuloides and Populus grandidentata can also be

 

 

found (Darlington, 1945). The combination of Grayling sand
and Jack pine vegetation is found throughout the Upper
Peninsula and the upper Lower Peninsula of Michigan in areas
known as the "Jack pine plains" (Darlington, 1945). McCool
and Veatch (1924) found that the purest stands of Jack pine
occurred on the drier sandy soils, such as Grayling and
Rubicon, in the so—called "Jack pine plains."

Darlington (1945) made the following comments concerning

the taxonomy of the herbaceous plants of the pine plains:

18

"the pine plains are particularly well adapted to members of
-the heath family" (Ericaceae). "Three Species of blueberry

are found," Vaccinium pennsylvanicum being the most predominant.

 

Other members of the Ericaceae include creeping Wintergreen,

Gaultheria procumbens, and trailing arbutus, Epigaea repens.

 

 

"One of the characteristic plants of certain areas is the

sweet fern, Myrica asplendifolia, found in the driest Sites."

 

The only true fern of any importance is the common bracken fern
which forms large patches in some areas. Statistical studies
made of the common plants of the "Jack Pine Plains" Showed
that 95% of them were perennials with deep roots or rootstocks
adapted to severe conditions of drought or of surface burning.
About one-half of these plants were included in only four
families-Compositae, Gramineae, Rosaceae, and Ericaceae.
Veatch (1953) has described the Rubicon-Grayling associ-
ation as follows: "Most of the soil is dry, yellowish, inco-
herent sand, acid in reaction to a depth of three feet or
more. It has a slight coherence and loaminess a few inches
below the surface, but characteristically does not have
enough humus in the surface layer, or clay and colloids in the
subsurface layers, to make it even moderately retentive and

fertile."

Ecology and Fire
Maissurow (1941), working in northern Wisconsin and Upper
Michigan, has stated that at least 95% of the so-called virgin

forest, prior to the 1890 lumbering period, was periodically

19

burned by natural forest fires. He considered forest fires
as an ecologically normal event that had a very significant
effect on the stand composition of the original forests.
He states that white pine, Norway pine, and Jack pine types
are subclimaxes, dating back to forest fires. Harper (1918)
suggested that the normal frequency of fire in the Jack pine
and spruce types was about once in the average lifetime of
a tree. Such an estimate is difficult to make because of the
almost complete destruction of the original stands by logging
and fire.

Many foresters and ecologists consider Jack pine to be
a "fire Species" because of the important roll which fire
plays in its seed dissemination and growth. Jack pine cones
remain on the tree (unopened) for several years and accumulat-
ing until a forest fire, running through the stand, opens
the cones and releases the seeds. The seeds fall to the
ground and are able to germinate on the freshly burned soil.
Jack pine seed germination is generally very poor without burn—
ing or scarification of the duff (Eyre and LeBarron, 1944).

The original land survey notes of the 1850's describe
the study area as a "burned sand plain with Scattered Spruce~
pine and sand pine" (Soil Survey Staff, U.S. Forest Service,
August 19, 1963). The present, even-aged, Jack pine stand is
40 to 50 years old, as determined by increment borings, and
most probably originated from the extensive burning, follow-

ing the pine lumbering era of the 1890's. The lower 02

20

horizon, on the recently (50 years) unburned sites, has a
considerable quantity of charcoal present (as determined from
binocular microscopic examination). The upper 02 and 01

horizons appear to have little charcoal present.

IV. SITE SELECTION, SOIIaDESCRIPTION,
SOIL SAMPLING

Site Selection

An area was selected for study that had recently been
clear cut (1962) and occupied the major portion of section
25, T 40 N, R 22 W in Delta County, Michigan. The area is
two miles east of Squaw Point light house and approximately
six miles south of U.S. 2 on County Highway 513. Blocks of
the windrowed slash remaining after cutting had been burned
in June, 1963. At present approximately one-half of the area
has been burned. The topography is flat (0 to 2% slopes) to
undulating (2 to 12% Slopes). The low undulating swells
suggest either off—shore bars or low modified sand dunes.

After traversing the area and observing the uniformity
and development of the soils, as well as the remaining vege—
tation, an area was selected which is located between 12 and
16 chains south of the north section line along the quarter
section line between the northwest and northeast quarters
of section 25.

The area is level (0 to 2% slopes) and the soil horizons
appear uniform a few centimeters below the surface. The soil
type, slope, and vegetation remain constant on approximately
5 acres at this Site. The area used as the control (unburned

for 40 to 50 years) is a one acre block of undisturbed Jack

21

22
pine, left during the recent cutting and burning as a check
on the development of an outbreak of pine tortoise scale.

No wild fires have been reported in this area Since

effective fire control was established during the 1930's.
From the lack of charcoal in the 01 and upper 02 horizons
and the absence of any sign of fire damage to the stand,
Iisually evident following fires in Jack pine (Harper 1918;
(2hapman, 1952), fire has probably been excluded during the
satand's development.

A one acre area adjacent to and west of the undisturbed
sstand was selected as the burned plot. The area was clear
<211t, the merchantable pulp removed, and in 1962 the slash

‘vveis piled in north—south windrows. The windrows were approxi-
,I1121tely 30 feet wide and 30 feet apart. The slash was piled
jfifnrcmn 2 to 5 feet high and was completely removed from the
£Eanzr<eas between the windrows (median areas). It was estimated
‘tzzlrlaat the areas of removed and piled Slash represent equal
E;><:>:rtions of the burned area; therefore, results may be
ea-"~?’€eraged to obtain the net effect of burning.

Before cutting, the sampling area was timber typed as
cr453L<2fl< pine, 5 to 8.9 inches DBH, of good stand density, by
t:17)-<E= U.S. Forest Service in 1954. The area yielded 6 to 7
C:<:>it?cis per acre of merchantable Jack pine pulp (Soil Survey

531::‘Elff, U.S. Forest Service, August 19, 1963). The slash was
.h)“;llrned.in the afternoon of June 27, 1963. The weather was
‘“’Eilnm and dry and the fire burned "hot and severe" (Rapid

River District Ranger, 1963) . The slash was completely

23

except for some of the larger stems, and the median

consumed,
Soil description and

areas were essentially all burned.

sampling was accomplished 17 months after the burning.

Soil Description

Two soil pits (3 feet by 4 feet and 5 feet deep) were

ciug, one in the unburned area and one in the area where slash
trad.been piled and burned. A field description of each soil

};xrofile was written according to standard conventions (Soil
.ESIJrvey Staff, 1951, and amended in 1962), except that the ISCC-

153135 color names are used (Kelly and Judd, 1955). Depths of

lflcarizons were determined by averaging several measurements
Munsell color notations are for

made from four profiles.
Laboratory results of pH measurements

moist soil conditions .
'war1sez:e incorporated into the descriptions. The species of
111<Een:baceous vegetation were identified with the assistance
Dr. Stephenson of the Botany and Plant Pathology department

<:>;1E?

53-1:2 Michigan State University.

Grayling sand (unburned)

W:

Dominant: Jack pine (Pinus banksiana)

 

Ground cover: Creeping wintergreen (Gaultheria
procumbens), trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens),

common bracken

 

 

sweet fern (Myrica aSplenifolia),
fern (Pteridium aguilinum), bearberry (Arcto-

staphylos uva-ursi), "dry land sedge"

24

(Carex pennsylvanica), blueberry (Vacinium

 

pennsylvanicum), mosses (Bryophyta), "Reindeer

 

moss" (Cladonia Sp.), three-toothed cinquefoil

(Potentilla tridentata)

 

Relief and Physiography:

 

The soil described occurs on a level area (0-2 percent

Slopes)

“Drainage:

of an Algonquin glacial lake plain.

well drained.

Ground water: deeper than 7 feet.

 

Moisture:

Stoniness:

 

Elevation:

 

Location:

moist.
none.

620 feet.

sw1/4 of NW1/4 of NE1/4 of Sec. 25, T40N, R22W, Bay de

Noc Township, Delta County, Michigan.

Profile description:

 

Horizon

01

02

A2

Depth
in cm. Description

 

4.5-4.0 Forest litter of pine needles, herb-
aceous leaves and stems, lichens and
mosses. 0-1 cm. thick.

4.0—0 Forest litter in various stages of
decomposition; dense root mat.
3.5-4.5 cm. thick.

0-2.5 Dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) to grayish
yellowish brown (10YR 5/2); sand; single
grain loose; very strongly acid (pH 4.7);
abrupt smooth boundary. 2.0—3.0 cm. thick.

25

 

Depth
Horizon in cm. Description

Bir 2.5—25 Light brown (7.5YR 5/4) to moderate brown
(7.5YR 4/4); sand; single grain; loose;
strongly to medium acid (pH 5.5); clear
smooth boundary. 22-25 cm. thick.

B3 25—55 Light brown (7.5YR 6/6); sand; single
grain; loose; medium acid (pH 5.8);
gradual smooth boundary. 28-32 cm. thick.

C 55* Light yellowish brown (10YR 7/4); sand;

single grain: loose; medium to Slightly
acid (pH 6.0).
Additional Notes:
(1) A thin, 0.1 cm., discontinuous Al horizon was noted
in the lower 02 but was not described. Pieces of

charcoal were noted in the lower 02 horizon.

(2) Little charcoal was noted in the 01 and upper 02
horizons.

(3) The official Grayling series description, written
in Cheboygan County, Michigan, is predominated by
Hue-10YR colors and Shows a less well developed Bir
horizon (National Cooperative Soil Survey, 11-7-1958).

*(4) The C horizon was observed to a depth of two meters.
Grayling sand (burned)

Vegetation:

 

Ground cover: "dry land sedge" (Carex pennsylvanica),

 

blueberry (Vaccinium pennsylvanicum), bearberry
(Arctostaphylos uva—ursi), three tooth cinquefoil

(Potentilla tridentata), mullein (Verbascum

 

thospus).

26

Relief and Physiography:

 

The soil described occurs on a level area (0—2% slopes)

of an Algonquin glacial lake plain.
Drainage: well drained.

AGround water: deeper than 7 feet.

 

Moisture: moist.

Stoniness: none.

 

Elevation: 620 feet.

 

Location:

SE1/4 of NE1/4 of NW1/4 of Sec.

Noc Township, Delta County, Michigan.

Profile description:

Depth

25, T40N, R22W Bay de

Horizon in cm. Description

 

02 .9-0 Burned forest litter in various stages
of oxidation; pieces of wood charcoal
present. .5-1.5 cm. thick.

Al 0—2.5 Brownish gray (10YR 3/1); sand; very weak,
fine, granular structure, aggregates held
together mainly by fine roots; very fri-
able; very strongly to strongly acid (pH
5.0); abrupt smooth boundary. 1—3 cm.

thick.

A2 2.5-4.0 Grayish yellowish brown (10YR 4/2);
sand; single grained; loose; very strongly
acid (pH 4.8); abrupt smooth boundary.

.5-2.5 cm thick.

Bir 4.0-28 Light brown (7.5YR 5/4) to moderate brown

(7.5YR 4/4); sand;

Single grain; loose;

strongly to medium acid (pH 5.5); clear

smooth boundary.

23-25 cm. thick.

27

 

Depth
Horizon in cm. Description
B3 28-58 Light brown (7.5YR 6/6); sand; Single
grain; loose; (pH 5.8); medium acid;
gradual smooth boundary. 28-32 cm.
thick.
C 58* Light yellowish brown (10YR 7/4); sand;

Single grain; loose; slight to medium
acid (pH 6.0).
Additional Notes:
(1) The official Grayling series description, written
in Cheboygan County, Michigan, is predominated by
Hue—10YR colors and shows a less well developed
Bir horizon (National Cooperative Soil Survey,
11-7—1958).

*(2) The C horizon was observed to a depth of two meters.

Soil Sampling

Soil samples, collected from three treatments, are as
follows: unburned, burned where Slash had been piled, and
burned where Slash had been removed. Four profiles, 30 feet
apart north and south in a row, were sampled by genetic
horizons in each of the three areas. The row of unburned
plots sampled is 100 feet east of those in the slash removed
area and 130 feet east of those in the Slash piled area. The
Slash piled and Slash removed plots were consequently 30
feet apart. The row of unburned plots is 20-25 feet inside
the Jack pine stand. The burned profiles were kept at some
distance from the edge of the fire area to avoid effects of

fire control Operations. The horizons sampled were those as

28

described, except that the 01 horizon (unburned) was included

with the 02 horizon.

Sampling for Chemical Analyses

Samples for chemical analyses were taken of the 0 and A
horizons by removing a six inch square of soil to the depth
of the surface of the B horizon, as in Plates 1 and 2. Each
horizon was then separated with the blade of a flat shovel.
This method allows one to inSpect all four sides of the
material to be sampled. The balance of the horizons were
sampled from the remaining hole with a bucket auger, the depth
being determined from the profile descriptions. Several trial
attempts at sampling the lower horizons with the bucket auger
suggested that the sampling area was quite uniform with re-
spect to depth of horizons. Each sample was inSpected for
compliance with the profiles as described. Approximately one

quart of sample was taken in each case.

Sampling for Physical Analyses
1) Bulk Density

Four undisturbed core samples were taken of each horizon
of each of the 12 profiles using the Uhland sampler. The Bir
and B3 were sampled using the (3 by 3 inch) cores. The A2
(unburned) and Al (burned) were sampled using the (1 by 3
inch) core. The 01 plus 02 (unburned), A2 (burned), and 02
(burned) presented a special problem due to their limiting

thickness. In the case of the 01 plus 02 (unburned) a

29

(3 by 3 in.) core was taken which included both the 01 plus
02 and all of the A2. In the case of the A2 (burned) a

(1 by 3 in.) core was taken which included the A2 and the A1.
The 02 (burned) was so thin and unconsolidated that it was

impossible to take an ”undisturbed sample.”

2) Field Soil Moisture

Five soil moisture samples of the 01 plus 02, A2 and
Bir (unburned), and the 02, Al plus A2, and Bir horizons
(burned) were taken in (300 ml) metal sample cans for the 12
profiles. Considerable difference was noted in soil moisture
of the burned 02 horizons on bare soil areas and in clumps
of the dry land sedge; therefore, an attempt was made to

equally distribute the sampling between these two conditions.

3) Depth of Horizon
The depth of the horizon for each profile was deter-
mined by taking at least 5 measurements, more were taken in

the thin variable horizons.

30

 

 

 

Plate 1. Unburned upper soil profile (1/2 actual size).
The fifty year accumulation of decomposing litter (0 horizon)
is shown on the Surface of the mineral soil.

31

M—L 0-- - o —-—i —— ~- » - ‘fi .- —-—--‘- - —-——-—-«—..-1

 

 

 

.A. ”o-

 

 

Plate 2. Burned upper soil profile (1/2 actual size).
The 0 horizon shown is thin, blackened, and almost
indistinguishable from the A1. Some of the 0 and A1
horizons in this area Show a more blackened appearance
than does this plate.

32

o- -. -

 

 

Plate . Ground vegetation on unburned area (1/5 actual
Size. '

33

 

 

 

Plate 4. Ground vegetation on the burned area (1/8 actual
size). This plate emphasizes the predominance of the dry
land sedges in the burned areas. The sedges are growing
mainly in clumps, and so a portion of the ground surface is
actually bare. It was noted that the 0 and A1 horizons
were thickest under these clumps. In patches where the 0
and A1 horizons had been greatly reduced in thickness, the
ground was generally bare. Soil moisture was notably re-
duced in these bare areas.

V. LABORATORY PROCEDURES

Chemical Analyses

Each soil sample was air dried and passed through a
2 mm sieve. All litter materials not passing the sieve
(leaves, stems, etc.) were ground, resieved, and included
with their respective sample. Less than one percent
(approximately) of the mineral grains remained on the 2 mm
sieve. The results of the following analyses are reported

as percentages of the oven dried less than 2 mm materials.

Total Carbon

 

Total carbon content was determined by the dry com-
bustion method, in a stream of oxygen, using the sequence
of gas purifying devices and collection tubes suggested by
Piper (1944). Twenty-five gram subsamples were ground to
pass a .25 mm Sieve, then were thoroughly mixed. From .200
to 2.000 9 (depending on carbon content) portions were
weighed and placed in an alundum boat which contained .25 g
of Mn02 Spread over the bottom. Exactly two grams of clean
quartz sand were Spread over the sample to prevent premature
combustion of the sample while loading into the tube of the
combustion furnace. The combustion temperature was main-

tained at 9400C for 15 minutes and care was taken to always

34

 

 

35

place the boat at exactly the same position in the furnace.
The C02 absorption bulb was cooled to a constant temperature
and weighed to the nearest .1 mg. Determinations were made
in duplicate and accepted if the C02 weights were within i
3% of each other. Carbonate—carbon was not determined Since
all samples were in the acid range and believed to contain
very little carbonates. The averages of the duplicate de-

terminations are reported unless otherwise noted.

Walkley-Black Carbon

 

Organic carbon was determined using the Walkley-Black
(wet oxidation) method as described by Jackson (1958).
Aliquots of the subsamples used for total carbon were used
for the Walkley-Black method. Determinations were made in
duplicate and accepted if the amounts were within 3% of each
other. The averages of the duplicate determinations are

reported unless otherwise noted.

Total Nitrogen

Total nitrogen was determined by the Kjeldahl method
as described by Jackson (1958, pp. 183-190), except that the
"Kel-pak,"(containing 9.9 g K2804, .41 g HgO, .08 g CuSO4),
plus 8.0 g of K2804, was used as the catalyst. The NH3 was
distilled into 4% boric\acid and titrated with 3/14 H2804.
Duplicate determinations were made and accepted if the
amounts were within 5% of each other. The averages of the

duplicate determinations are reported unless otherwise noted.

36

. *-
Reaction

Soil pH was measured using a glass electrode pH meter.
Duplicate determinations were made and accepted if no more

than two-tenths of a pH unit different.

Extractable Calcium, Potassium, and Magnesium*

The above bases were extracted by adding 20 ml of
neutral 1N_NH4AC to 2.50 g of sample, shaking the suSpenSion
for one minute, and filtering. The determinations were made

and accepted if the amounts in the 0 and A1 horizons differed

 

by no more than 5%. Duplicate determinations for the A2,
Bir, and B3 were accepted if the amounts differed by no more
than 8%, because difficulty was encountered in duplicating

the low values observed.

Available Phosphorus*

Available phosphorus was extracted from 2.50 g of
sample with 20 ml of a solution .03 N_in NH4F and .025 N_in
HCl (Bray and Kurtz, 1945, No. 1 solution). The suSpenSion
was shaken for one minute and then filtered. Phosphorus in
solution was determined colorimetrically, using the ammonium
molybdate—hydrochloric acid solution of Dickman and Bray
(1940) and the 1—amino, 2—naphthol, 4—Sulphonic acid reducing

agent developed by Fiske and Subbarrow (1925).

 

*-
Analyses by Soil Testing Laboratory, Michigan State University.
Subsampling and weighing of samples was done by the author.

37

Exchangeable Hydrogen*

 

Exchangeable hydrogen was estimated by the Shoemaker,

McLean, and Pratt (1961) buffer method.

Cation Exchange Capacity

 

Cation exchange capacity was estimated by summing the
four exchangeable cations; hydrogen, calcium, magnesium, and

potassium.

Mineralization of Nitrogen

Total mineral nitrogen (exchangeable NH4+ plus N02—
plus N03-) was determined before and after a 14 day incubation
period, using the method of Bremner (1965, pp. 1191-1206).
Ten grams of soil (passing a 2 mm sieve) were weighed into a
250 ml flask. Thirty grams of nitrogen free quartz sand plus
6 ml of water were added and mixed. The top of the flask
was covered with polyethylene and incubated for 14 days at
300C. The mineral forms of N were extracted by Shaking the
sample with 100 ml of 2 N KCl for one hour. Twenty ml of the
extract from this treatment was analyzed by steam distillation
with MgO and Devarda alloy. The resulting NH3 was distilled
into boric acid and titrated with .0545 N_H2804. Duplicate
determinations were made both before and after the incu—
bation. The averages of the duplicate determinations are

reported unless otherwise noted.

 

* o o l 0
Analyses by Soil Testing Laboratory, Michigan State UniverSity.
Subsampling and weighing of samples was done by the author.

38

Physical Analyses

Water Retention and Bulk Density

 

Water retentions by undisturbed soil cores were
measured at saturation, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 60 cm of water
tension by the blotter paper-tension table method of Leamer
and Shaw (1941). These were done in quadruplicate. The
percentages reported are averages for the oven dried whole
soil. The moisture contents at 1/3, 1, and 5 atm tension were
measured by the ceramic plate—presSure method. Richards and
Fireman (1943) and Richards (1948) have described the use of
the ceramic plate method for 1/3 and 1 atm tensions.

The 5—atmosphere determinations were made by using the 15-
atmosphere ceramic plate. The determinations of moisture
retention at 1/3, 1, and 5 atm were made on disturbed samples
and done in triplicate. The results reported are averages
for triplicate samples of the oven dry, less than 2 mm
materials. Bulk densities were calculated by dividing the
oven-dry weight of the core samples used for water retention
determinations by the volume of the core.

In cases where two horizons were included in one core
(0 and A2, unburned; A1 and A2, burned), moisture retention
measurements had also been made on separate cores containing
only one of the component horizons (A2, unburned; A1,
burned). Moisture retention values for the undetermined,

component horizon in each case were calculated by difference.

39

For this calculation, the two-horizon cores were re-
wetted (after determining their oven dry weights) to near
original field moisture. The component horizons were then
carefully cut apart, oven dried and reweighed. The assump-
tion was made that the moisture characteristics and bulk
density of the separately determined horizons were the same
in two—horizon cores as in one—horizon cores. Moist weights,
corresponding to saturation and 10, 20, 30, 40, and 60 cm
tension, were calculated for the undetermined horizons by

use of the following formula:

DWt .
Mth = MWta,+X - [ MWta (SW-E) ]
where: MWt = moist weight
DWt = oven-dry weight
x = calculated horizon
a = separately determined one—horizon core
a' = counterpart of (a) in two-horizon core
a'+x = two—horizon core

The bulk density of the undetermined horizon was
calculated Similarly by dividing its determined oven dry
weight by its volume calculated by difference from known
volume and weight relationships in one-horizon and two—hori-
zon cores.

The bulk density and moisture retention of the 02

(burned) was found by filling a (1 by 3 inch core) with

4O

unground soil, then gently tapping the core several times
on the table and refilling. The materials observed in this
horizon in the field did not seem to be any more dense or
consolidated than after treatment in this manner. The
samples were duplicated and determinations were made as if

they were undisturbed.

Total and Capillary Porosity

 

Total porosity, by volume, was determined by multiply-
ing the weight percent of moisture at saturation by the bulk
density. Capillary porosity by volume was determined by
multiplying the weight percent of moisture at 60 cm tension

by the bulk density.

Field Soil Moisture

 

The percent field moisture by weight, on an oven-dry
basis was determined by weighing the samples as taken in

the field and after oven drying at 1050C.

VI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Bulk density, thickness, and percentage values
(Appendix)tables 8 through 13) were used to calculate the
data presented in this section (tables 1A through 7). Bulk
density (grams per cubic centimeter) multiplied by horizon
thickness (centimeters) equals the grams of soil in a column
under a surface area of one square centimeter extending the
thickness of the horizon. Multiplying the percentage or ppm
data, by the above parameter and adjusting the decimal point
gives the grams of an element, or the centimeters of water,
found in one square centimeter of each layer. Grams per
square centimeter in each horizon is analogous in dimensions
to pounds per acre furrow slice but does not assume a constant
bulk density and thickness.

The standard deviations (tables 1 through 13) were
calculated for properties of the four profiles in each treat—
ment area. A standard "t” test (Patterson, 1939 pp. 14 and
248) was applied to all comparisons among means in tables
1A through 6. The probability for chance occurrence of equal
or greater differences between means is shown for each com—
parison in tables 1B, 2B, 3B and 7. The actual probabilities
lie between that Shown and the next lower value in the "t"

test tables. Because treated areas were not replicated,

41

42

treatment effects are confounded with location effects.
However, observed variations in subsurface horizons, which
were not directly affected by burning, were low, suggesting
that the three treatment areas were Similar before burning.
The Jack pine stand density, height, diameter and age were

also Similar in all three areas before cutting and burning.

Chemical Properties

Total Carbon

 

Tables 1A and 1B Show that the unburned 0 horizon is
significantly higher in total organic carbon than in the two
burned areas (1 or 5% level of probability). Total carbon
of the 0 horizons on the two burned sites did not differ
significantly. The difference obtained between the unburned
and burned 0 horizons represents a 4-fold reduction in total
carbon on the burned areas. A trend toward higher total
carbon is evident in the 0 and A1 horizons on the burned,
slash piled site as compared to the burned, Slash removed
area. The differences between the unburned and burned areas
appear to persist in the underlying A2 horizons, although
the differences are not significant at the 5% level of
probability.

Metz et al (1961) found that annual litter burning in—
creased organic carbon in the 0 horizon on a percent basis,

while on a pounds per acre basis it was considerably reduced.

 

43

.mump conumo

amuOD Eoum dump cogumo xomamlhmaxamg mCHuomuufldm >3 pcsom mm3 conumo ucmuwflmmu .ml.3
.x.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

m.sm med Sm.m 8.8g m.dfl 4.0m mm.g 8.04 mau\m1 z dflnmuflumumdgz
mm.fi om.s as. me. an. am.g mm.a mo.m = ammouuwd Hmuoe
ob.m m.ma NS.S mm.a mm. om.fi se.m «.oa = o udmumdmmu .m-.3*
«.mm mmfi se.m m.mfi m.mg 8.64 F.4m m.mm mau\ma dontdu Sauce
Um>oEmH SmmHm .Umcusm Amv
0.4m Hag ®.mfi m.ma m.mm o.md H.mfi a.fi¢ dau\ma z manmdflgmumdaz
mm.fi «o.m as. me. mm. mm.m mo.fi as.m . ddddtufld Hands
w@.m g.mm mg.m oo.m md.fi ca.m mm.s m.da = o ucmumgmmu .m-.z*
a.mm smfi w.mfl m.mg H.ma m.gs m.0fi m.me mao\me cognac Hmuoa
UmHHm nmmam .Umcnsm Amv
m.mm awe de.s fi.ma -- -- Nee «on mau\m1 z mHQmNHHmHmcHz
da.fi md.m mm. md.a -- -- 44.m m.fifi = admouugd Hmuoa
om.d N.mfi me. om.a -- -- s.ma m.mfi = o udmumwmmu .m-.z*
mo.fi meg No.6 S.Sm -- -- m.mm Hon mau\me copumo Hmuoa
Umcusncb ADV
.Q.m cmmz .Q.m cmmz .Q.m Emmi .Q.m cmmz >unmmonm
Ham m4 «a o Hmugsmro cam mugm
comauom

 

 

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oo>oEuM meHm..pmcusm u m upmaflm Sumam .Umcusm H m “Umcuanm u D
*

 

44

m. m. d. m. m m> m

m. m. II No. m m> D

s. m. II fio. m m> D
z mHQMNHHmumcHE

m. m. m. m. m m> m

w. No. II a0. m m> D

m. H. II HO. Aw. m> D.
cmmouuflc Hmuoe

mo. m. a. m. m m> m

m. m. II m. m m> D

mo. N. - m. . m 9.. D
O ucmumflmmu .m-.3

m. S. a. m. m m> m

a. N. II do. m m> D

m. M. II HO. m m> D

conumo Hmuoe

 

Ham NH a4 0 *comflnmmEou

 

mcowauom muflm Ucm muummoum

 

.wocmno
ou one mum cmmouuflc mam conumo CH museumMMHU Um>nmmno mnu umnu mmfluflaflflmflowm .mfi magma

45

Where the 0 horizon data (pounds per acre)were added to the
surface of the mineral soil data (pounds per acre) there was
no Significant change with burning reported in their study.

The literature reveals that while severe Slash fires
may reduce organic carbon (percentage basis) in the mineral
soil, litter or light slash burning may increase organic
carbon. The present study indicates (comparing the A1 burned
and the A2 unburned) that the mineral soil has been enriched
with organic carbon on a percent basis. However, where the
absolute amounts of total carbon above the A2 are considered
(tables 4 and 7), burning caused a Significant reduction,
particularly where Slash was removed before burning.

It is apparent that a problem of the use of appropriate
units of measure exists. The present study Shows that on a
percent or ppm basis (concentration basis) the level of an
element may not change or even increase, but on an absolute
basis very important amounts of the element can be lost.
For example, in this study there was no change in the concen—
tration of organic carbon in the 0 horizon while its concen—
tration in the mineral soil was increased. Using an absolute
unit, so that changes in mass were also considered, there was
not only an important reduction of organic carbon in the 0
horizon, but also a net decrease when the surface of the
mineral soil was included. Many articles reporting on burning
Show results on a concentration basis and judge the influence

of burning solely on the concentration of an element in an

46

arbitrarily chosen zone. These analyses may be quite mis-

leading and result in unwise management practices.

Walkley—Black (wet oxidation) Resistant Carbon

 

Subtracting Walkley-Black (wet oxidation) carbon from
total carbon approximates the amount of charcoal or other
highly resistant forms of carbon present in the soil (Metz
et al, 1961). Significance among means was not noted for
any of the comparisons in tables 1A and 1B at the 1% level of
probability. However, the Bir horizon in the slash piled and
burned area was significantly higher, at the 5% level, than
the other treatments. It is noted that the percentage data
for the resistant carbon values is very low, so experimental
error is likely high. There is, on the other hand, a general
trend toward higher resistant carbon throughout the profile
for the Slash piled and burned area, particularly when the

percentage dataarezconsidered (table 8).

Total Nitrogen

 

The total nitrogen content in the unburned areas was
significantly higher (p = 2%) in the 0 horizon and approached
Significance (p=2 and 10%) in the A2 horizons compared to the
burned areas (tables 1A and 1B). The difference in the 0
horizon represents a 3.5—fold reduction in total nitrogen in
the burned Sites. No other horizons or treatment combinations

in the profile showed significant differences.

47

Several authors found that severe slash fires in the
Douglas fir region reduced the concentration of total nitro—
gen in the mineral soil, while others noted an increase with
less severe burning. In the present study, comparing total
nitrogen for the burned A1 with the unburned A2 shows that
the concentration of total nitrogen in the surface of the
mineral soil has been increased with burning. However, the
total amounts of nitrogen in the profiles above or including
the A2 horizons decreased in the burned pIots compared to the
unburned plot. The total amounts of nitrogen seem a much

more pertinent measure of actual changes due to fire.

Mineralizable Nitrogen

 

Subtracting mineral nitrogen content before a two week
incubation period from that after the incubation gives the
amount of nitrogen mineralizable in the two week period.

The 0 horizon of the unburned area was Significantly higher

(p = 1 and 2%) in mineralizable nitrogen than in the two
burned areas (tables 1A and 1B). No other Significant dif—
ferences in mineralizable nitrogen were found in the profiles
of the three areas. The difference in the 0 horizon represents
a 9-fold reduction of mineralizable nitrogen in the two burned
areas. The net effect of burning on mineralization was a
marked decrease, tables 4 and 7, in the soil above or includ—
ing the A2 horizon. Considering results on a concentration
basis (table 10) mineralizable nitrogen is Shown to decrease
in the 0 horizon following burning and increase in the surface

of the mineral soil.

48

Although nitrification was not evaluated in the present
study there is no reason to believe that results different
from the literature would be obtained. The literature shows
almost unanimously that burning results in an increased con-
centration of nitrate in the mineral soil.

Ahlgren and Ahlgren (1960) indicate that ammonification
may be reduced while nitrification is increased with burning.
Wilde (1958) reports that in acid litter, fungi build up a
nitrogenous residue of mycelia which when broken down releases
NH3. He further indicates that the majority of the conifers,
especially Spruce, fir, and hemlock, are capable of utilizing
NH3 and some amino acids as a nitrogen source since N03 pro-

duction is normally low in acid conditions.

Extractable Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium

All three extractable bases (tables 2A and 2B) were
Significantly higher, at the 1% level, in the 0 horizon of the
unburned area as compared to the two burned areas. Signifi-
cance was not noted between the two burned areas for the 0
horizon but a trend toward higher bases in the plot where
slash was piled is evident. The three bases Showed signifi-
cant increases at the 2 and 5% level in the slash piled site
as compared to the slash removed Site for the A1 horizon.
Calcium and magnesium were Significantly higher (p = 1 and
10%) in the A2 of the unburned compared to the two burned
areas. Magnesium was significantly higher at the 2% level in

the Bir for the unburned compared to the burned Sites.

49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mma mom m m H mm mg mm . manoedmOtd
me am m ma ma mm be 0m = asflmmcmmz
8mg mam 4m ow fig mm s4 «NH = ssflmmmuom
mam Sada mm Smfi mm Hmm mad Ame mEo\m1 asflogmo
pm>oEmu SmmHm .pmcusm Amv
ea mam mm am am we SH mm . msuotdmOtm
wm no ma ma ma mm mm aoa : ESHmmcmmz
Ha sad mm om Sm ANS 4m mmg = ssflmmmuOE
oak mmma mma amfi am new dam smm mau\md Educate
pmaflm SmmHm .pmcnsm Amv
mna mmm n ma III- IIII N mm : msuonmmosm
OOfi MSN Na md IIII IIII aw mmm : Esflmmcmmz
mmfi one ma mm IIII III- SNfi mam : Edammmuom
oom momg om mam -- -- mmm 84mm mdu\md endogmo
UmCHSQGD ADV
.D.m cam: .D.m cmmz .D.m cmmz .D.m cmmz muummoum
HMUHEmno paw muflm
CONHHOD

 

.mmuflm pmcusfl paw weapons: :0

mcoufluon mo moauuomoum HMUHEmQO

.<N OHQMB

50

.COmHummEoo comm CH pmumfla ucmEummHu umuflm mew ou pmumm

-Eoo wmmmuomp m mo pmmumcfl ucmsuflumcoo meu CH mmMOHOCH cm mmB muwnu mommo wmmnu CH A-V
pw>oEmH cmmHm

.pmcusm u m “pwaflm cmmHm

m “pmcusncm.n D

*

 

 

An. N. No No Mm m> m
m. M. ll @- m m> D
a. 1-5 m. 1-V -- No. d .> a
msuosmmoem
m. To a. mo. H. m m> E
No. do. - 8. m E. a
mo. mo. II HO. m m> D
Esammcmmz
mo. S. mo. m. m m> m
N. No II fiOo m m> D
m. m. II fio. m m> D
Edammmuom
m. m. mo. m. m m> m
m. a0. II Ho. m m> D
N. AIV H. II HO. m w> D
EOAOHOO
Ham N4 HH 0 *somflummEou

 

coufluom

muHm ppm muummoum

 

 

.mosmno Op OSU mum msuozmmozm paw Edflmmcmmfi .Esflmmmuom
.EDHOHOO manmuomuuxm ca mOOCOHOMMHp pw>ummno map page mmfluflaflnmfloum

.mN OHQME

51

All other comparisons for the Bir, except the higher potassium
in the Slash piled and burned area compared to the slash re-
moved area, show no significance. Table 9 Shows that the
concentrations of magnesium in the Bir were rather low;
therefore, experimental error is probably high. The Signifi-
cant difference in calcium found in the 0 horizon represents
a 2.4-fold reduction in extractable calcium when slash was
piled and burned, and a 3.4-fold reduction when slash was re-
moved and the site burned. Potassium and magnesium both
Showed approximately a 4—fold reduction in the 0 horizons of
the burned areas.

Much of the literature indicates that the concentration
of available or extractable calcium, potassium and magnesium
in the 0 horizon and the surface of the mineral soil tend to
increase following burning under a variety of soil and burn-
ing conditions. The concentration of calcium (table 9) in
the present study was significantly greater at the 2% level
in the area where slash was piled and burned as compared to
the unburned site. Magnesium showed the same trend but
potassium showed little differences in the 0 horizon. Burning
has also enriched the Surface of the mineral soil in the three
bases when the unburned A2 and burned A1 were compared.
However, the actual amounts of calcium, magnesium, and potas-
sium in the layers above the A2 were lower in the burned sites
than in the unburned and lowest in the slash removed and

burned area.

52

Extractable PhOSphorus

 

The absolute amount of extractable phosphorus in the
0 horizon of the Slash piled and burned area (table 2A and
2B) was significantly higher at the 2% level than in the un-
burned plot. The above significant differences represent a
2—fold increase in extractable phOSphorus on the Slash piled
and burned site. Statistically Significant differences were
not noted for any other comparisons; however, a trend toward
greater extractable phosphorus is noted throughout the Slash
piled and burned profile. The concentration of available
phosphorus, as reported in the literature, following burning,
shows either no change or an increase in the mineral soil.
It may be noted again that Vlamis et al (1955) found no
change in a loam soil but marked increases, with burning, in
a sand soil. Marked increases in phosphorus (ppm) were noted
in both the 0 horizon and the surface of mineral soil in the
present study. These increases following burning persisted
even when expressed as the total amounts of phOSphorus in
the 0 plus A1 layer, particularly where slash was piled and

burned (tables 5 and 7).

pH, Base Saturation and Exchange Capacity

The following discussion involves data in the appendix
(table 11). The pH in the unburned 0 horizon was Signifi-
cantly lower at the 2 and 5% levels than in the two burned
areas. A trend toward higher pH was noted on the Slash piled

site as compared to the Slash removed area. All other

53

combinations in the profile Showed no significant differences
in the means.

A significant increase in base saturation (p = 2%), of
the Slash piled and burned 0 horizon as compared to the un-
burned, was noted. Although the other comparisons Showed no
Significant differences, a trend toward higher base satur-
ation was noted, except for the A2, in the burned areas and
particularly where the Slash was piled and burned.

The cation exchange capacities in the 0 and Bir horizons
are significantly lower (p = 1%) in the burned area, where
slash was removed, than in the unburned areas. The exchange
capacity in the slash piled and burned 0 horizons was also
lower (p = 5%) than in the unburned area. At exchange capaci—
ties as low as those in the Bir, better experimental methods

and more replication are needed for positive conclusions.#

Physical Properties

Soil Moisture

 

Soil moisture (retention and field moisture) will be
presented in this section (tables 3A and 3B) in units of
centimeters of water in a given horizon.

Moisture Retention (.06 atmOSphereS, .06 to 5
atmospheres)

Moisture retention in the 0 horizon (.06 atm tension)
was significantly reduced (p = 1 and 5%) in the two burned

areas as compared to the unburned area. No other combinations

54

.wuflommmo :oHucmumu musumfloz

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mm. mO.N III III III III mo. mo. : musumHOE UHmHm
III DN.H III III III mN. Ill m0. : COHmGOU Sum mlmo.*
4g. om.m -- -- fig. 4m. mo. om. 0mm Eu dogmdmu Sum mo.*
OO>OEOH cmmHm .pmcusm Amv
III mm.fi III NH. III mm. III m0. : GOHmCOu Eum mlwo.*
mm. md.m do. ea. OH. ad. 60. «m. 0mm do cogmddu Sum mo.*
Umaam SmmHm .pmcusm Amv
mm. SH.N OH. mm. III- III- em. No.fi : medumHoE pamflm
III ©@.fi III ON. IIII III! III mm. : COHmcmu Eum mImO.*
og. mm.m «0. mm. -- -- am. mfi.a 0mm Eu nonmdmu gum mo.*
pmcnsQGD ADV
.D.m cmmz .D.m cmoz .D.m :mmz .D.m cmmz wuHmQOHD paw wuflm
HHm N¢ H4 .
couwnom

 

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pmcusnas co mcomfluon mo OHDumHoE prHm paw

coaucmumu mu5umH02

.4m OHQMB

.pm>oEQN gmme .pmcusm I m upmafim cmmHm .pmcusm u m “UOQHSQDN J.D
*

 

55

D. II ll 0. m m> m

N. II II HO. m m> D

m. II II Ho. m m> D
musumHOE OHOHm

m. - a. m. m m> m

m. II II NO. m m> D

m. H. II mo. m m> D

COHmcmu Sum mo.

 

Hem m4 H< O *COmHMMQEOU

 

CONHHOD OUHm paw mummmoum

 

.mocmgo OD mdp mum musumHoE
UHOHM pcm coaucoumu musumHoE CH mmocmHOMMHp pw>ummflo may umnu mmfluflaflnmnoum .mm OHQOB

56

in the profile showed significant differences, but a trend
toward lower moisture retention (.06 atm tension) in the A2
of the burned areas was noted. The significant difference in
the 0 horizon represents a 5-fold reduction in moisture
retention (.06 atm) on the two burned sites.

The disturbed samples used for the 1/3, 1, and 5 atm
moisture data were composites of the four profiles in each
area; therefore, Significance levels cannot be determined.
The soil moisture retained between .06 atm tension (undisturbed)
and 5 atm (disturbed) has been termed readily available water
capacity by Franzmeier (1962). If one assigns the same rela—
tive standard error for the .06 atm (0 horizon) data to the
5 atm data it is clear that there is a very large reduction

in readily available water capacity on the two burned areas.

Field Moisture

Soil moisture content under field conditions in the 0
horizon was significantly reduced (p = 1%) in the two burned
areas as compared to the unburned Sites (table 3A and 3B).
Significance between means was not reported for the remaining
comparisons in the 0 and Bir horizons. The same trend
toward reduced field moisture in the burned 0 horizon is also
clearly evident where the percentage dataznxaconsidered
(table 12). The significant differences in the 0 horizon
represent a 13-fold reduction in soil moisture in the two

burned Sites.

57

It must be realized, however, that the level of soil
moisture in the unburned area includes the effects of shading
by the Jack pine stand. The moisture samples were taken four
days after one inch of rainfall and so represent relatively
moist conditions. It may be noted from tables 12 and 13
that the field moisture percent for the unburned plot (0 hori-
zon) is only slightly less than that at .06 atm tension.

The percent field moisture, however, in the burned areas is

already less than the 5 atm tension percent.

Grams Soil Per Square Centimeter of the Horizon

As explained earlier, this value is obtained by multi-
plying bulk density (grams per cubic centimeter) by the
horizon thickness in centimeters and represents the total
dry matter in the horizon (table 12). There was a Significant
reduction in total dry matter in the burned 0 horizons as
compared to the unburned areas. NO other combinations in the
profile gave significance at the 1 or 5% level. The sig-
nificant differences between the unburned and the two burned
sites represents a 3—fold reduction in the total dry matter
in the 0 horizon. The above result was primarily due to a

5-fold reduction in thickness of the 0 horizon (table 12).

Profile Summation

In tables 4, 5, and 6, experimental values determined
for the 0 and A1 horizon in the two burned areas have been

summed for comparison with the values for the 0 horizon of

 

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.pm>oE®H CmmHm .OOCHCQ pCm OOHHQ CmMHm .meHCQ mo mmmum>m**
.mmmum meCCQCC CH mHCo o .mmmum meHCQ CH HH + 0*

 

-- 44 -- Sm -- 44 **tmdusm

IIII Hm IIII 4m IIII Hm meHCQCD
NC m>OQm OCON

***mGHUOOH MO R

-- Rm.mm -- 0.44 -- Rm.mm Uddtsnds to H mm twausm
-- 4cm -- 4.44 -- mam 4*oddusm
-- m4m -- 4.4m -- 444 Swansea:
- AmCON uoouv

Hflm + N< + H<+O

 

 

 

 

mEo\m1 mEo\mE mEo\mE
m.m4 4.04 mm. 44.4 m.m4 N44 tm>oamt tmm4m .tmdusm Ame
m.mm 4.4m to. 4m.m m.m4 m44 @444d amm4m .tddusm Adv
NS4 4mm 44.m m.44 m.mm 4cm adduced: ADV
*N¢ m>OQ4
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Z OHQMNHHMHOCHZ ComOHuHC Hmuoe Coflumo Hmuoe UCm mHHmoum mo COHuHom

 

muummoum

 

.mmuHm
meHCQ pCm meHCQCC Co mmHHmoum OCH CH ComouuHC pCm Conumo mo COHHCQHHumHD .4 mHnt

59

NC OCH O>OQO OH HOCH OCON Hoou OCHCHHHCOEOHO OCH

.pO>OEOH CmOHm

.OOCHCQ UCO

. mMOHM COCHDQCD CH

.CONHHOC
Ho HCCOEO HOHOH OCH Ho HCOUHOQ***
OOHHQ COOHm .OOCHCQ mo OmOHO>O**
SHCO o .mOOHO UOCHCQ CH HC + 0*

 

 

 

 

 

 

III MH III on III 04 **UOCHCm
III m III om III mm UOCHCQCD
NC O>OCO OCON
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.4 4 .4
III RmNH III m.mw III on. S UOCHCQCC R mO UOCHCm
III #45 III mmm III Nmom **©OCHDm
III mum III HMOH III mwmm UOCHCQCD
COCON Hoouv
HHm + NO + HO + O
mEo\m1 mEo\m1 mEo\m1
HN mm 4 NON HS @504 pO>oEOH CmOHm .OOCHCm Amv
OS HMH NS NON mwN NomH OOHHQ CmOHm .OOCHCm Amv
NN mN SNH mHm mmm mdNN UOCHCCCD ADV
OEo\m1 NEo\ml mEo\mn *NC O>OC¢
.D.m COOS .D.m COOS .D.m COOS OHHm OCO
OCHOCQOOCN ECHmmOHom ECHOHOO OHHmoum mo COHHHom
SHHOQOHO

 

 

OHHHOHQ OCH CH OCHOCQOOCQ UCO ECHOOOHOQ

.mOHHm UOCHCQ UCO UOCHCQCC CH

.ECHOHOO OHQOHOOHHxO mo COHHCCHHHOHD

.m OHQOB

60

.AOHCHOHOE OHOHHV CONHHOC HHm OCH O>oCO OCO ASHHOOQOU COHHCOHOH OHCHOHOEV

CONHHOC NC OCH O>OQO OH HOCH OCON Hoou OCH CH HOHO3 mo OHOHOEHHCOU HOHOH mo HCOUHOQ ***

pO>oEOH CmOHm .OOCHCC pCO OOHHQ CmOHm .OOCHCC mo OmOHO>O **

AOHCHOHOE OHOHHV CONHHOC HHm O>OCO

AmOHHHOOmOU COHHCOHOH OHCHOHOEV CONHHOC NC O>OCO *

OOHOCQOOEHO CH SHHOOQOO COHHCOHOH OHCHOHOE +

 

 

 

-- m4 -- m4 -- m4 *4Omdusm
IIII Sm IIII mN IIII om OOCHCCCD
NC O>OQO OCON
***mGHHOOH HO R
4 4 4
IIII d®.mw IIII do.©m IIII N.Nm UOCHSQCD R mO UOCHDm
-- O4.m -- 44.m -- mm.m *4Omcusm
-- m4.m -- m4.m -- OO.4 OOOCOCCO
AOCON Hoouv
CHO + NO + 4C + o
ONO Eu ONO Eu ONO So
OH. 04. IIII «M. NO. NO. OO>OEOH COOHO .UOCHCm Amv
44. m4. -- N4. 04. mm. ON44O sm44m .Oddusm Adv
04. 44.4 -- mm. 4N. 44.4 Omdusndp COO
*44m 40 NO N>OC<
ONO Eu ONO Eu ONO do
.O.m dads .O.m cmmz .O.m ONO: OHHO Ocm
OHCHOHOE OHOHN EHO mlwo.+ EHO OO.+ OHHmoum mo COHHHom
SHHOQOHm

 

 

Co OHHNOHQ OCH CH OHCHOHOE OHOHH

.mOHHO UOCHCQ UCO OOCHCQCC
OCO COHHCOHOH OHCHOHOE mo COHHCQHHHOHQ .m OHQOB

61

.OO>OEWM COOHO .OOCHCO u m “OOHHM CmOHm .OOCHCO u m “UOCHCCQW n D**
.SHHOOQOU COHHCOHOH OHCHOHOS*

 

 

O. Ho. Ho. AHHm O>oCOv OHCHOHOE OHOHm
m. No. mo. : COHmCOH EHO Oo.*
O. N. 4. : OCHOCQOOCC
N. No. mo. : ECHOOOHom
mo. No. mo. : ECHOHOU
4. No. mo. : z OONHHOHOCHS
m. 40. No. : COmouHHC HOHOE
mo. 40. No. ANC O>OCOV COCHOU HOHOB
m m> m m m> D m m> D COHHHom

 

**OCOOHHOQEOO OHHO OHHmonm OCO SHHOQOHN

 

 

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.mOHHHOQOHm HOOHOSCQ OCO HOOHEOCO CH OOOCOHOHHHO OO>HOOCO OCH HOCH OOHHHHHCOCOHC .S OHCOB

62

the unburned site. This procedure yields data which repre-
sent the portion Of the profile above the A2 horizon for

the three treatments. When this was done, decreases signifi—
cant at 5% or less were associated with both burning treat-
ments compared to the unburned areas for all properties
except available phOSphorus (table 4, 5, 6 and 7). Available
phosphorus had increased in both burned plots but the dif-
ferences were not significant by the usual tests.

The sum of total carbon in the 0 and A1 horizons was
significantly greater in the area where slash was piled
before burning than where it was removed (tables 4 and 7).
The same was true for extractable calcium (tables 5 and 7).
These differences between the two burned areas in carbon
and calcium above the A2 horizon were due primarily to dif-
ferences in the A1 horizon (tables 1A and 2A) but were aug—
mented by similar trends in the 0 horizons.

The summation values probably better represent differ-
ences in soil productivity since all of the surface organic
materials and nutrients are being considered in the burned
sites. The zone also represents a major region of root con—

centration.
Horizon Relationships

In order to evaluate the extent to which burning may
influence the major rooting zone of a soil, such as the one

studied, it may be helpful to compare (on an absolute basis)

63

the amount of nutrients and moisture retained in the unburned
0 horizon (zone primarily affected by burning) with the A2
plus Bir horizons. The data in tables 4, and 5, reveal that
the unburned 0 horizon contains one—half or more of the total
carbon (61%), total nitrogen (54%), mineralizable N (71%),
extractable calcium (58%), and extractable potassium (50%),
of the major rooting zone. On the other hand, the 0 horizon
contains only 5% of the extractable phOSphorus, and 25% of
the readily available moisture retention capacity (table 6).
Considering the influence of burning (average of the
two treatments) in this study it is seen that burning has
altered the distribution of nutrients in the profile (tables
4 and 5). In all cases, except extractable phOSphorus, the
proportion of nutrients above the A2 horizon was reduced
in the burned plots. This surficial zone now contains less
than one-half the total carbon (44%), total nitrogen (37%),
mineralizable N (41%), extractable calcium (40%), and extract—
able potassium (36%). The proportion of extractable phos-
phorus above the A2 horizon, however, increased following
burning from 5 to 13% of the entire rooting zone. The zone
above the A2 horizon following burning contains only 18% of
the readily available moisture retention capacity as com-

pared to 25% in the unburned plot, table 6.
Soil Comparisons and Classification

A comparison of the results obtained for Grayling with

those obtained by Franzmeier (1962) for Rubicon and Kalkaska

64

sands (percent and ppm basis), shows a basic similarity of
the three sand soils. The Bir horizon of the Grayling Shows
more development than that of the Rubicon (Bir) and less

than that of the Kalkaska (Bh and Bhir). Concentrations of
total carbon, total nitrogen, and extractable phosphorus

fall between those of Rubicon and Kalkaska, but are generally
closer to those of Kalkaska. Exchangeable base values were
similar to those of the Rubicon.

The A2 horizon of the Grayling is only one—eighth the
thickness of the Rubicon and the Kalkaska and as a whole
would be influenced more greatly by the surface. The A2 of
the Grayling Shows much less eluviation than the Rubicon
and the Kalkaska A2, as indicated by three times the percent
of total carbon, 4 times the percent of total nitrogen, and
2 times the extractable phosphorus (ppm). Data on these
properties for the A1 horizon of Grayling generally fell be-
tween those for Rubicon and Kalkaska; however, extractable
phOSphoruS (ppm) for the slash piled and burned area was
higher than either Rubicon or Kalkaska.

Assuming that the 0 horizons are similar in the three
soils mentioned, burning would affect a smaller proportion
of the major rooting zone in the Kalkaska. This is true
because the above mentioned percentage data are generally
higher in the Kalkaska Bhir and especially Since the Grayling
Bir is only 65% as thick as the Kalkaska. Although the per—

centage data in the Rubicon Bir are lower than the Grayling,

65

some of this effect would be compensated for Since the
Grayling Bir is only 80% as thick as the Rubicon. The
greater concentration of nutrients in the Grayling A2 would
be compensated for by the much greater thickness in the
Kalkaska and Rubicon A2 horizons. Bulk density in all three
soils was Similar. It may be concluded that although a
smaller proportion of the Kalkaska rooting zone, and prob-
ably a smaller proportion of the Rubicon, may be influenced
by burning, all three soils may be affected to an important

degree.

Classification by Seventh Approximation
(Soil Survey Staff, 1960, Revised 1964)

The Bir horizon for Grayling does not meet the require-
ments for the Spodic horizon in that it contains less than
.58% total carbon and probably less than 1% Fe203. The Fe203
content was inferred by comparison with Rubicon and Kalkaska
data obtained by Franzmeier (1962). The lack of diagnostic
horizons and the coarse texture place Grayling in the Entisol
order and Psamment suborder. The following is a complete
classification of the Grayling described in this study.

This classification agrees with the official classification

(National Cooperative Soil Survey) for Grayling.

Order . . . . . . . . . . . Entisols

Suborder. . . . . . . . . . Psamments

Great Group . . . . . . . . Normipsamments

Family. . . . . . . . . . . Sandy, Siliceous, Frigid,
Acid

Series. . . . . . . . . . . Grayling

 

66
Loss Mechanisms

Some mechanisms involved in the loss of nutrients from
soils associated with burning include the following: gaseous
loss, solid particle loss in smoke, and leaching or eluviation.
Very little comprehensive work concerning these mechanisms has
been done. Finn (1934) found losses of basic nutrient elements
in both sandy and loamy soils that were due to leaching.

Isaac and Hopkin (1937) proposed that loss of soil particles in
smoke is of sufficient importance to warrant further study.

The gaseous loss of carbon as C02 is an obvious effect;
however, direct quantitative measures are not available.

Isaac and Hopkin (1937) found that important quantities of
nitrogen were lost to the atmosphere under the high tempera-
tures of Slash fires.

All three loss mechanisms may have been involved in the
present study. The deep sandy profile would allow for a rapid
leaching rate of the abundance of soluble bases released from
the burning or even for eluviation of silt or clay Size
particles. Judging from the great size of the smoke cloud
produced (1000 feet or more high), resulting from the burning
of 44 acres of Slash in three hours time, it would seem that
Significant amounts of soil particles and other gases could
be lost in this manner. Ash was also noted drifting to the

ground a short distance from the fire.

VI I . SUMMARY

Influence of Burning on Soil PrOperties

1) Burning resulted in a reduction of the absolute
amount of the following chemical elements in the 0 horizon:
total organic carbon, total nitrogen, mineralizable nitrogen,
and extractable calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

2) Burning resulted in an increase in the absolute
amount of extractable phosphorus in the 0 horizon but this
was not statistically significant except where slash had been
piled before burning.

3) The pH in the 0 horizon was increased with burning
while the cation exchange capacity was decreased.

4) Both field soil moisture and moisture retention
capacity (centimeters of water in the 0 horizon) Showed a
reduction with burning.

5) The total dry matter of the 0 horizon was reduced
with burning and is a major factor in the above changes.

6) Where the above properties, except pH and CEC, were
summed to give total quantities in the soil above the A2
horizon all but extractable phosphorus were considerably
reduced with burning. The proportions (of the entire root
zone) of the total amount of the nutrient elements above the
A2 horizon, except extractable phOSphorus, were reduced in
the burned areas.

67

68

7) Some significant differences were noted beneath the
thin surficial mineral horizon, but most properties showed
little changes deeper in the profile.

8) The percentage of total available nutrients remain-
ing in the root zone of the burned areas compared to the un-
burned were as follows: 39.8% of the mineralizable nitrogen,
79.7% of the extractable calcium, 63.3% of the extractable
potassium, and 129% of the extractable phOSphorus. The
readily available moisture capacity in the burned plots was
86.0% of that in the unburned plots. These changes are

thought to Significantly reduce the productivity of this al-

ready relatively unproductive soil.
Additional Investigations Needed

The preceding study was a preliminary investigation
of the influence of burning on a number of soil properties,
and has shown certain important trends resulting from burning.
In order, however, to Show with more statistical certainty
the influence of burning on sandy soil in Upper Michigan,
further research is needed. Variables such as intensity
and percent of the area burned, as well as other soil series,
need to be considered. The mechanisms involving the loss
of nutrient elements associated with burning need Special
attention. The influence of burning on the establishment and
growth of the Species to be regenerated on such sites also

needs to be evaluated.

LITERATURE C ITED

Ahlgren, I. F., and Ahlgren, C. E., 1960. Ecological effects
of forest fires. Botanical Review. 26:483-533.

Alway, F. J., and Rost, C. O., 1927(1928). Effect of forest
' fires on the composition and productivity of the soil.
I Int. Cong. Soil Sci. Proc. & Pap: 546—576.

Arend, J. L. 1941. Infiltration rates of forest soils in
the Missouri Ozarks as affected by woods burning and
litter removal. Jour. Forestry 39:726-728.

Austin, R. C., and Baisinger, D. H., 1955. Some effects of
burning on forest soils of western Oregon and Washington.
Jour. Forestry 53:275—280.

Barnette, R. M., and Hester, J. B., 1930. Effect of burning
upon the accumulation of organic matter in forest soils.
Soil Sci. 29:281—284.

Beaufait, W. R., 1960. Crown temperature during prescribed
burning in Jack pine. Papers of the Mich. Acad. of
Sci., Arts and Letters. 46:251—257.

Blaisdell, J. P., 1953. Ecological effects of planned burning
of sagebrush grass range on the Upper Snake River
plains. U. S. Dept. Agr., Tech. Bull. 1075. 1—39.

Bray, R. H., and Kurtz, L. T., 1945. Determination of total,
organic, and available forms of phOSphorus in soils.
Soil Sci. 59:39-45.

Bremmer, J. M., 1965. Inorganic forms of nitrogen, Methods
of Soil Analysis, Part 2:1179—1237.

Burns, P. Y., 1952. Effects of fires on forest soils in the
pine barren region of New Jersey. Yale Univ., School
Forestry, Bull. 57:1—50.

Chapmen, H. H., 195 . The place of fire in the ecology of
pines, Bartonia 26:39-47.

Chrosciewiez, Z., 1959. Controlled burning experiments on

Jack pine. Res. Div., Dept. Northern Affairs & Nat.
Res., Canada, Tech. Note 72.

69

70

Darlington, H. T., 1945. Taxonomic and Ecological Work on
the Higher Plants of Michigan, Mich. State College
Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bull. 201.

Dickman, S. R., and Bray, R. H., 1940. Colorimetric determin-
ation of phOSphate. Ind. and Eng. Chem. Anal. Ed. 12:
665-668.

Dodge, C. K., 1920. Observations on the flowering plants,
ferns, and fern allies growing wild in Schoolcraft
County and vicinity in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Misc. Papers of the Bot. of Mich., Mich. Geol. & Biol.
Surv. Pub. 31, Biol. Series 6:75-124.

Eyre, F. H., and LeBarron, R. R., 1944. Management of Jack
pine stands in the lake states, U.S. Dept. Agr. Tech.
Bull. 863.

Finn, R. F., 1934. The leaching of some plant nutrients
following burning of forest litter. Black Rock Forest
Papers 1:128-134.

Fiske, C. H., and Subbarrow, V., 1925. The colorimetric
determination of phosphorus. Jour. Biol. Chem. 66:
375-400.

Fowells, H. A., and Stephenson, R. S., 1934. Effect of burn—
ing on forest soils. Soil Sci. 38:175-181.

Franzmeier, D. P., 1962. A Chronosequence of Podzols in
Northern Michigan, Ph. D. Thesis, Mich. State Univ.

Fuller, W. H., Shannon, 8., and Burgess, P. S., 1955. Effect
of burning on certain forest soils of Northern Arizona.
For. Sci. 1:44-50.

Greene, S. W., 1935. Effect of annual grass fires on organic
matter and other constituents of virgin longleaf pine
soils. Jour. Agr. Res. 50:809—822.

Harper, R. M., 1918. The plant population of northern lower
Michigan and its environment, Torrey Botanical Club
Bull. 45:23—42.

Heiberg, S. 0., 1941. Silvicultural Significance of Mull
and Mor. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. 6:405-408.

Heyward, F., 1937. The effect of frequent fires on profile
development of longleaf pine forest soils. Jour.
Forestry 35:23-27.

Heyward, F., 1938. Soil temperatures during forest fires in
the longleaf pine region. Jour. Forestry 36:478-491.

 

71

Heyward, F., 1939. The relationship of fire to stand compo-
sition of longleaf pine forests. Ecology 20:287-304.

Heyward, F. and Barnette, R. M., 1934. The effect of fre-
quent fires on the chemical composition of forest soils
in the longleaf pine region. Univ. Florida, Agr. Exp.
Sta., Tech. Bull. 265.

Hough, J. L. 1958. Geology of the Great Lakes, Univ. of
Ill. Press, Urbana.

 

Isaac, L. A., 1930. Seedling survival on burned and unburned
surfaces. Jour. Forestry 28:569—571.

Isaac, L. A., and Hopkins, H. G., 1937. The forest soil of
the Douglas fir region and the changes wrought upon it
by logging and slash burning. Ecology 18:264-279.

Jackson, M. L., 1958. Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice Hall,
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

 

Kelley, K. L., and Judd, D. B., 1955. The ISCC-NBS method
of designating colors and a dictionary of color names.
National Bureau of Standards Circular 553. U. S. Govt.
Ptg. Off., Washington.

Klemmedson, J. C., Schultz, A. M., Jenny, H. and Biswell, H.
H., 1962. Effect of prescribed burning of forest litter
on total soil nitrogen. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc.
26:200—202.

Leamer, R. W., and Shaw, B., 1941. A Simple apparatus for
measuring noncapillary porosity on an extensive scale.
Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron. 33:1003-1008.

Leverett, F. and Taylor, F. B., 1915. The Pleistocene of
Indiana and Michigan, U. S. Geol. Survey, Monograph 53,
Wash. Govt. Printing Office.

Lunt, H. A., 1951. Liming and twenty years of litter raking
and burning under red and white pine. Soil Sci. Soc.
Amer., Proc. 15:381-390.

Lutz, H. J., 1934. Ecological relationships in the pitch
pine plains of southern New Jersey. Yale Univ., School
Forestry, Bull. 38.

Lutz, H. J., 1956. The ecological effects of forest fires
in the interior of Alaska. U. 8. Dept. Agr., Tech.
Bull. 1133.

72

Maissurow, D. K., 1941. The role of fire in the perpetuation
of virgin forests of northern Wisconsin. Jour. Forestry
39:201-207.

McCool, M. M., and Veatch, J. 0., 1924. Sandy soils of
southern peninsula of Michigan, Mich. Agr. Exp. Station,
special Bull. 128.

MGtZ, L. J-, Lotti, T., and Klawitter, R. A., 1961. Some ef-
fects of prescribed burning on Coastal plain forest soil.
U.S. Dept. of Agr. Forest Service, Southeastern Forest
Exp. Sta., Ashville, N.C., Station Paper No. 133.

Paterson, D. D., 1939. Statistical Technique in Agricultural
Research, First Edition, McGraw-Hill Co., Inc.,
New York and London.

 

Pearse, A. S., 1943. Effects of burning over and raking off
litter on certain soil animals in the Duke Forest,
Amer. Mid. Nat. 29:406-424.

Perry, G. S., 1935. Effect of fire on seedlings. Forest
Leaves 25:7.

Piper, S. C., 1944. Soil and Plant Analysis, Interscience
Publishers, New York.

 

Rapid River District Ranger, U. 8. Forest Service, Oct. 15,
1963. Prescribed burn-Peninsula burn No. 1, Rapid
River Ranger District, Rapid River, Mich., Office Memo.

Richards, L. A., 1948. Porous plate apparatus for measuring
moisture retention and transmission by soil. Soil
Sci. 66:105-110.

Richards, L. A., and Fireman, M., 1943. Pressure—plate
apparatus for measuring moisture sorbtion and trans—
mission by soil. Soil Sci. 56:395-404.

Sinclair, W. C., 1960. Reconnaissance of the ground-water
resources of Delta County, Michigan, Progress Report
No. 24, State of Mich., Dept. of Conservation, Geol.
Survey Div.

Shoemaker, H. E., McLean, E. 0., and Pratt, P. F., 1961.
Buffer methods for determining lime requirement of soils
with appreciable amounts of extractable aluminum. Soil
Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc. 25:274—277.

Soil Survey Staff, 1951, reissued 1962. Soil Survey Manual.
U.S.D.A. Handbook No. 18, U.S. Govt. Ptg. Off.,
Washington.

73

Soil Survey Staff. July 30, 1963. Notes on observation of
controlled burn for insect control (Jack Pine on Grayling
soils on Hiawatha N.F.), U.S. Forest Service, Milwaukee,
Wis. Regional Communication.

Soil Survey Staff, Aug. 19, 1963. Stonington Peninsula
prescribed burn. U.S. Forest Service, Milwaukee, Wis.
Regional Communication.

Tarrant, R. F. 1956. Effects of slash burning on some soils
of the Douglas fir region, Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc.
20:408-411.

Tryon, E. H., 1948. Effect of charcoal on certain physical,
chemical, and biological properties of forest soils.
Ecol. Monogr. 18:81-115.

Veatch, J. 0., 1953. Soils and Lands of Michigan. The Mich.
State College Press.

Veihmeyer, F. J., and Johnson, C. N., 1944. Soil moisture
records from burned and unburned plots in certain
grazing areas in California. Trans. Amer. Geophys.
Union. Pt. 1:72-88.

Vlamis, J., Biswell, H. H., and Schultz, A. M., 1955.
Effects of prescribed burning on soil fertility in
second growth ponderosa pine. Jour. Forestry 52:905-909.

Wahlenberg, W. G., 1935. Effects of fire and grazing on soil
properties. Jour. Forestry 33:331-338.

Wahlenberg, W. G., and Greene, S. W., and Reed, H. R., 1939.
Effect of fire and cattle on grazing and longleaf pine
lands as studied at McNeill, Miss. U.S. Dept. Agr.
Tech. Bull. 683.

Wilde, S. A., 1958. Forest Soils. The Ronald Press Co.,
New York.

 

 

APPENDIX

74

75

.OHOO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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44.4 44.4 00.4 4.44 44.4 4.44 4.44 4.44 44444 4044444044 44444 z
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Horizon
S.D. Mean

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Base exchange properties and pH of horizons on unburned and burned sites.
Mean

Site and Property

Table 11.
Unburned

 

 

 

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m 4

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l l l I I
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1

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K II
Mg II
Base saturation(

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Ca(%

18.4

43.7

.3

3.0

5.5
24
%) 2
*Exchange capacity

pH

slash removed

Ca(% saturation)
Base saturation(

K
Mg

pH
m.e./1OO grams of soil

Burned,

.x.

 

79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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4.4 44. 4.04 -- -- 04.4 4.44 44.4 4.44 = 44440404 .440
4.44 04. 4.44 -- -- 04.4 4.44 44.4 4.44 4.404 40 44440404 44404
4.44 44.4 4.44 44. 44.4 44. 44.4 44. 44. N40\4404 4
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80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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00.0 44. 00.4 IIII IIII 44.0 4.04 40.0 0.00 = 00.
00.0 00.0 0.04 IIII IIII 04.0 0.04 04.0 0.40 = 40.
4.44 40.4 4.04 IIII IIII 00.4 0.00 04.0 0.04 z 00.
0.40 IIII 0.40 IIII IIII 00.0 4.40 0.04 4.04 = 00.
IIII 40. IIII IIII IIII 00.0 0.40 0.44 0.00 = EuO 40.
0.40 00.4 0.00 IIII IIII 0.44 4.44 0.04 0.00 4.43 RV CO4uOusuO0
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IIII IIII 04.0 IIII 00.0 IIII 00.4 IIII 0.04 : 0.0
IIII IIII 04.0 IIII 00.0 IIII 00.0 IIII 0.04 : 0.4
IIII IIII 00.0 IIII 00.4 IIII 00.0 IIII 4.40 = 00.
00.0 00. 00.4 04. 00.0 00.4 4.04 40.0 0.00 = 00.
00.4 00.0 0.44 40.4 0.44 04.0 0.00 40.0 4.00 = 40.
0.04 44. 0.04 04.4 0.04 04.0 0.40 0.44 0.04 = 00.
0.00 04.4 0.00 04.0 0.00 40.0 0.44 0.04 4.00 = 00.
IIII IIII IIII 00.0 0.40 00.4 0.04 0.04 0.40 : EuO 40.
0.44 44.4 4.44 40.4 4.44 44.4 4.04 0.44 4.44 4.43 44 4044444444
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IIII IIII 00.0 IIII 00.0 IIII IIII IIII 0.04 = 0.0
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IIII IIII 00.0 IIII 00.4 IIII IIII IIII 0.00 = 00.
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0.44 00. 0.44 00.0 4.04 IIII IIII 00.0 0.00 = 00.
0.00 44.4 0.00 40.0 0.00 IIII IIII 4.44 0.00 = 00.
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