The Effect of Fire on Soil Chemical and Biological Properties.

Fire has played a large role in the development of most North American ecosystems. Native Americans rarely suppressed natural lightning fires and started fires for a number of reasons. It is estimated that 50% of Wisconsin's vegetation was influenced by Native American fires. Upon European settlement, almost all fire was suppressed and logging increased exponentially. The result was an increase in dead, woody fuels and a shift in vegetative composition away from fire-tolerant species. Many of the catastrophic wildfires of the 1900s are believed to be a direct result of fire suppression. The reintroduction of fire in the form of low-intensity controlled burns aims to correct these problems. Prescribed, low-intensity fire slows the build-up of woody fuels, reduces the encroachment of unwanted woody plants in the understory, and promotes the growth of native, fire-dependent species. Because prescribed fire has become a more common management technique, it is important to understand its effect on an ecosystem. Although there is a good amount of literature on fire’s effect on soil, it is something that has not been examined extensively in the Lake States. Research on the effect of fire on soil nutrient cycling suggests that it varies greatly by climate, soil parent material, present vegetation, and region. Even low-intensity, controlled fires have been shown to affect soil chemical and biological properties. As prescribed fire becomes a popular form of forest management and restoration in the Lake States, there must be a better understanding of how it impacts these properties, as well as how these factors impact ecosystem health, forest production, and wildlife.