Combined Effects of Wildfire and Vegetation Cover Type on Volcanic Soil (Functions and Properties) in a Mediterranean Region

Comparison of Two Soil Quality Indices

Bibliographic Data

ID15486303
AuthorsLucia Santorufo (0000-0002-3409-0273, University of Naples Federico II), Valeria Memoli (0000-0001-7996-9735, University of Naples Federico II, corresponding author), Speranza Claudia Panico (0000-0003-4725-8036, University of Naples Federico II), Giorgia Santini (0000-0003-2728-0818, University of Naples Federico II), Rossella Barile (Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo), Antonella Giarra (0000-0003-1623-164X, University of Naples Federico II), Gabriella Di Natale (0000-0002-0613-8508, Tecnologie Avanzate (Italy)), Marco Trifuoggi (0000-0003-4754-5756, University of Naples Federico II), Anna De Marco (0000-0002-3774-5538, University of Naples Federico II), Giulia Maisto (0000-0001-8561-915X, University of Naples Federico II)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue11
Pages5926-5926
Publication date2021-05-31
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18115926
PMID34073007
OpenAlexW3164760292
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited45

Mediterranean regions are the most impacted by fire in Europe. The effects of fire on soil greatly vary according to several factors such as vegetation cover type, but they are scarcely studied. Therefore, this research aimed at evaluating the combined impacts of fire and vegetation on single soil characteristics and on the overall soil quality and functionality through two soil quality indices, simple additive (SQI) and a weighted function (SQI FUNCT ). In order to reach the aims, burnt and unburnt soils were collected under different vegetation cover types (herbs and shrubs, black locust, pine and holm oak) within the Vesuvius National Park. The soils were analyzed for the main abiotic (water and organic matter content, total C, N, Ca, K, Cu and Pb concentrations, C/N ratio) and biotic (microbial and fungal biomasses, basal respiration, β-glucosidase activity) characteristics. On the basis of the investigated soil characteristics, several soil functions (water retention, nutrient supply, contamination content, microorganism habitat and activities), and the soil quality indices were calculated. The results showed that the impact of fire on soil quality and functionality was mediated by the vegetation cover type. In fact, fire occurrence led to a decrease in water and C/N ratio under herbs, a decrease in C concentration under holm oak and a decrease in Cu and Pb concentrations under pine. Although the soil characteristics showed significant changes according to vegetation cover types and fire occurrence, both the additive and weighted function soil quality indices did not significantly vary according to both fire occurrence and the vegetation cover type. Among the different vegetation cover types, pine was the most impacted one

Abiotic component · Agronomy · Biology · Grassland · Mediterranean climate · Soil organic matter · Soil Quality · Soil type · Soil water · Vegetation (pathology · Vegetation type · Environmental Science · Fire effects on ecosystems · Rangeland and Wildlife Management · Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics · Ecology · Soil Science

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