Effects of prescribed burning on soil and vegetation

Prescribed burning, when correctly applied, can be a sustainable practice for fire risk reduction without severely impacting plant species composition or soil properties in pine and oak woodlands. However, its effects on shrublands are more pronounced, leading to changes in plant cover and species composition, as well as lasting impacts on the fermentation layer. This study, conducted across five sites in Italy and Portugal—including areas within Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park—evaluated the ecological effects of prescribed burning on soil microbial communities, physical and chemical soil properties, and vegetation over different periods post-burning. The research highlights that while prescribed fire may be effective for reducing wildfire risk in certain ecosystems, its application in shrublands requires more precise prescriptions to mitigate adverse impacts.

Catalanotti, A. E. (2011). Effects of prescribed burning on soil and vegetation. Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II. https://doi.org/10.6092/UNINA/FEDOA/8771