Long-term evolution of shrub prescribed burning effects on topsoil organic matter and biological activity in the Central Pyrenees (NE-Spain).

Since the last half of the 20th Century, scrubs have been invading subclimatic grasslands in the montane and subalpine stages of Spain due to the decrease of the grazing activity. This shrub encroachment reduces biodiversity and the ecopastoral value of the region and leads to the accumulation of woody fuel, which represents a high fire risk. To control the encroachment, prescribed burnings are performed but their effects on soils over the years are still undetermined.

Topsoil microstructure changes after a shrubland prescribed burn (Central Pyrenees, NE Spain).

The dense thicket Echinospartum horridum (Vahl, Rothm) is expanded in secondary pastures of the Central Pyrenees (NE-Spain). The control of this grassland encroachment is attempted through prescribed burnings, trying to minimize its direct effects on the soil. But the structural changes on the new soil surface, burned and bare, are unknown in the medium-term.

Dynamics of topsoil carbon stocks after prescribed burning for pasture restoration in shrublands of the Central Pyrenees (NE-Spain).

Prescribed burning has been recently readopted as a management practice in the Central Pyrenees (NE-Spain) to stop shrub encroachment processes and recover pasturelands. The immediate effects of prescribed burning on soil C stocks and related biological properties and their evolution in the short-to mid-term after burning were assessed. The study was conducted during three autumnal prescribed burnings in the Central Pyrenees in the municipalities of Buisán, Asín de Broto and Yebra de Basa.

Effects of prescribed burning for pasture reclamation on soil chemical properties in subalpine shrublands of the Central Pyrenees (NE-Spain).

The abandonment of the traditional pastoral activities in the subalpine grasslands of the Central Pyrenees (NE-Spain) has resulted in shrub encroachment processes that are dominated by species such as the Echinospartum horridum. Therefore, prescribed burning has been recently readopted in this region as a management tool to stop the spread of shrubs and recover grasslands. We aimed to assess the effect that this practice may have on soil chemical properties such as SOC, N, pH, EC, water-extractable and exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg and K), cation exchange capacity, inorganic N forms (N-NH and N-NO) and available P.

Effects of prescribed fire for pasture management on soil organic matter and biological properties: A 1-year study case in the Central Pyrenees.

Prescribed burning has been readopted in the last decade in the Central Pyrenees to stop the regression of subalpine grasslands in favour of shrublands, dominated among others by Echinospartum horridum (Vahl) Rothm. Nevertheless, the effect of this practice on soil properties is uncertain. The aim of this work was to analyse the effects of these burnings on topsoil organic matter and biological properties.