Impact of Burning Pinyon-Juniper Debris on Select Soil Properties

Abstract

Burning had the greatest impact on soils beneath burned debris piles. Electrical conductivity, phosphorus, potassium, percent nitrogen, and percent organic carbon increased significantly at all soil depths the first year after burning debris piles. No impact was evident on phosphorus, percent nitrogen, and percent organic carbon by the second year. Impacts on burned interspace areas were generally less pronounced and few impacts were measured the second year. Impact of burning on soil pH was minor.