Original research article
This study examined the changes in soil physicochemical properties after a forest fire in Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which burned 16,800 ha in March 2022. The study categorized the affected area into three fire intensity levels: low, middle, and high. Soil samples were collected 9 and 18 months post-fire from two depths (0 - 10 cm and 10 - 20 cm) to assess surface and subsurface layers. Soil pH decreased after the fire but did not return to pre-fire levels even after 18 months. Organic matter content declined significantly, especially in the surface layer (0 - 10 cm), with a stronger decrease in areas of higher fire intensity (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in available phosphorus and total nitrogen, possibly due to vegetation recovery post-fire. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased with fire intensity, but differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships between Total nitrogen and CEC (r = 0.898**), organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (r = 0.892**), and OM and CEC (r = 0.888**). Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that chemical properties like OM, total nitrogen, and CEC exhibited more variability than physical properties post-fire. This highlights the need for long-term soil restoration strategies focusing on organic matter replenishment, nitrogen supplementation, and recovery of CEC, which are crucial for ecosystem recovery after forest fires.
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10.7745/KJSSF.2020.53.2.200- Publisher :Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizer
- Publisher(Ko) :한국토양비료학회
- Journal Title :Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
- Journal Title(Ko) :한국토양비료학회 학회지
- Volume : 57
- No :4
- Pages :380-392
- Received Date : 2024-10-16
- Revised Date : 2024-11-07
- Accepted Date : 2024-11-07
- DOI :https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2024.57.4.380
Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
