SS 321: Soil Morphology

Dr. R.D. Taskey

Wildfires and the Benefits of Ash in Forest Soils

Wildfires are a common occurrence in forest environments and are a crucial part of

forest ecology. Fires are important to forest ecosystems as it helps control tree density as well

as promoting the growth of young saplings. When a forest becomes too dense, young trees at

ground level are often restricted from receiving sunlight due to the thick upper canopy of the

adult trees. This is detrimental to the forest as the number of saplings cannot replace the

current number of adult trees, leading to a sharp decline in the tree population. The US Forest

Service conducts controlled burns to help counteract this effect. These controlled burns also

eliminate any thick undergrowth such as shrubs and bushes, giving the young saplings ample

surface room. However, there are more benefits to forest fires, mainly from the wood ash

itself. Wood ash is an effective liming agent and increases the number and activity of bacteria in

the soil. Thus, ash is a key component of maintaining a healthy forest.

Wood ash is beneficial to many soils as it helps raise soil pH and promotes microbial

activity. Ash, especially hardwood ash, is high in carbonates, K/Na oxides, and hydroxides.

Topsoil pH can raise as much as three units immediately after burning. In addition, during high
intensity fires with temperatures exceeding 450oC, organic acids start to denature, further

contributing to the increase in pH (Certini 2005). Ash contains high amounts of calcium and

readily reacts with soil, thus serving as a natural alternative to agricultural calcium carbonates.

Compared to CaCO3, ash can be between 26-59% as effective with regards to liming capabilities.

The higher the amount of ash that mixes with the soil, the more the soil pH rises (T. Ohno and

M.S. Erich 1990). However, in soils buffered by carbonates, ash will have a negligible effect on

the soil pH. In addition, various other basic compounds, such as heat produced K and Na oxides,

are easily leeched out of the soil after a rain event (Certini 2005). Wood ash is also an important

factor for improving microbial activity in the soil. Bacteria in soils generally flourish more in

basic conditions. Therefore, due to the increase in the soil’s pH, the number of bacteria as well

as the amount of activity greatly increases after a burn. A significant increase in bacteria can be

seen just three days after the addition of ash. The increase in pH also provides a wider range of

available nutrients that are used by the bacteria, mainly copiotrophic species. However, high

amounts of ash can have a negative impact on the microbial population. The richness and

diversity of bacteria is inversely related to the concentration of wood ash. The main loss of

bacteria comes from acidobacteria, as they thrive predominantly in more acidic conditions

(Bang-Andreasen, T. 2017). Despite this, these negative effects are usually short term due to

the loss of the ash via leeching from precipitation. Overall, the application of ash to the forest

soil is still beneficial as the increase in soil pH and microbial activity provide ideal growing

conditions for young seedlings.

 As an outdoorsman, promoting healthy forest growth is key to maintaining the serenity

of our mountain forests. Growing up next to the Sierra Nevada Mountains allowed me to

explore the vast beauty that exists within its rocky expanse. As a kid, I always thought that

wildfires meant the destruction of the forests I had come to love. The annual fires would

blanket the news during the summer with reporters warning of the air pollution and threats to

homes. While these are indeed detrimental to humans and wildlife alike, all things in nature are

perfectly balanced. Fire may decimate the landscape, but it also allows for new life to flourish.

Take the Giant Sequoia, for example. The thick cones that house the seeds will not open unless

exposed to the high temperatures of a wildfire. These seeds then flourish in the ash covered

soil and the loss of tree density allows the seedlings to grow to their full size. By analyzing

wildfires, we can try to harness the positive outcomes while also reducing the negative impact.

This is the basis for controlled burns. Without wildfires, our forests would look drastically

different. I want the forests that I grew up enjoying to be just as breathtaking when the next

generation of naturalists comes around. Therefore, as environmental scientists, it is our duty to

learn what we can from nature and in turn use this information to preserve the fine balance

that exists in the natural world.

References:

Bang-Andreasen, T., T. Neilsan, J., Voriskova, J., Heise, J., Ronn, R., Kjoller, R., C.B. Hansen, H.,

and S. Jacobsen, C. 2017. Wood Ash Induced pH Changes Strongly Affect Soil Bacterial Numbers

and Community Composition. Publ. Frontiers in Microbiology.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5532396/ (accessed 26 Apr. 2018)

Certini, G., 2005. Effects of Fire on Properties of Forest Soils: A Review. Publ. Springer-Verlag.

http://www.fsl.orst.edu/ltep/Biscuit/Biscuit_files/Refs/Certini%20Oa%202005%20fire.pdf

(accessed 26 Apr. 2018)

Ohno, T. and Erich M.S. 1990. Effect of Wood Ash Application on Soil pH and Soil Test Nutrient

Levels. Dept. of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME. Publ.

Elsevier Science, B.V., Amsterdam. https://ac.els-cdn.com/0167880990901627/1-s2.0-

0167880990901627-main.pdf?_tid=d244de4f-b163-4dc3-82b1-

c8ed968d0c68&acdnat=1524774237_3b3a5b5d21a239e2726b3d480202491c (accessed 25 Apr.

2018)
Chris Staebler

4/27/18