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Wildfire Effects on Soil Gross Nitrogen Transformation Rates in Coniferous Forests of Central Idaho, USA

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Abstract

Forest fires often result in a series of biogeochemical processes that increase soil nitrate (NO3 −) concentrations for several years; however, the dynamic nature of inorganic nitrogen (N) cycling in the plant–microbe–soil complex makes it challenging to determine the direct causes of increased soil NO3 −. We measured gross inorganic N transformation rates in mineral soils 2 years after wildfires in three central Idaho coniferous forests to determine the causes of the elevated soil NO3 −. We also measured key factors that could affect the soil N processes, including temperature during soil incubation in situ, soil water content, pH and carbon (C) availability. We found no significant differences (P = 0.461) in gross nitrification rates between burned and control soils. However, microbial NO3 − uptake rates were significantly lower (P = 0.078) in burned than control soils. The reduced consumption of NO3 − caused slightly elevated NO3 − concentrations in the burned soils. C availability was positively correlated with microbial NO3 − uptake rates. Despite reduced microbial NO3 − uptake capacity in the burned soils, soil microbes were a strong enough N sink to maintain low soil NO3 − concentrations 2 years post fire. Soil NH4 + concentrations between the treatments were not significantly different (P = 0.673). However, gross NH4 + production and microbial uptake rates in burned soils were significantly lower (P = 0.028 and 0.035, respectively) than in the controls, and these rates were positively correlated with C availability. Our results imply that C availability is an important factor regulating soil N cycling of coniferous forests in the region.

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Acknowledgments

We thank R. D. Evans, R. Gill, P. Morgan, T. DeLuca, V. Jin, S.C. Hart, T. Hooker, W. Minshall, and J. Schedlbauer for discussion; N. Bosworth, G. D. Harris, and K. Grover-Wier for study coordination in the National Forests; D. Townsend, M. Thompson, B. Austin, and R. Pangle for field work; B. Brander, D. Dumroese, J. Tirocke, A. Falen, K. Robinson, and B. Sun for assistance in the lab; A. Abbott and A. Robinson for assistance with statistical analysis. We also thank three anonymous reviewers whose excellent comments improved the manuscript. This study was supported by USDA/USDI Joint Fire Science Program (Project 05-2-1-41).

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  1. Akihiro Koyama

    Present address: School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164-4236, USA

  2. Kirsten Stephan

    Present address: Department of Life and Physical Sciences, Lincoln University, 820 Chestnut St., Jefferson City, Missouri, 65101, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, PO Box 441133, Moscow, Idaho, 83844-1133, USA

    Akihiro Koyama & Kirsten Stephan

  2. Forest Ecology and Biogeosciences, University of Idaho, PO Box 441133, Moscow, Idaho, 83844-1133, USA

    Kathleen L. Kavanagh

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  1. Akihiro Koyama
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Correspondence to Kathleen L. Kavanagh.

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Author Contributions

A. Koyama conducted field work, lab experiments and data analyses, and wrote the manuscript. K.L. Kavanagh and K. Stephan contributed to the overall design of the experiments, field work and provided editorial comments on previous drafts of the manuscript.

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Koyama, A., Kavanagh, K.L. & Stephan, K. Wildfire Effects on Soil Gross Nitrogen Transformation Rates in Coniferous Forests of Central Idaho, USA. Ecosystems 13, 1112–1126 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-010-9377-7

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