Abstract
The loss of organic matter and nutrients due to a natural fire in a Danish coastal dune heath system (175 ha) was studied for three heath types: dryEmpetrum nigrum heath, moistE. nigrum-Vaccinium uliginosum heath, and wetErica tetralix-Molinia coerulea heath. The highest loss of organic matter, as well as N, P and K, was found in the moist heath (67%, 68%, 20% and 25% respectively). The lowest loss was found in the wet heath (35%, 28%, 14%, and 11% respectively). The loss in the dry heath was intermediate. For the burnt heath in total, loss of organic matter, N, P and K of about 13000, 192, 10 and 6 tons respectively, was estimated. Processes of nutrient loss by fire and regeneration of nutrients are discussed.
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Peter, V., Vagn, A. Loss of organic matter and nutrients from a coastal dune heath in Northwest Denmark caused by fire. J Coast Conserv 2, 33–40 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02743035
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02743035