Fire effects on soil water dynamics in a Mediterranean shrubland

摘要

With the purpose of studying the effects of fire on the natural dynamics of soil water,rnan experiment was set in a Mediterranean shrubland in Central West Portugal. Soil moisturernwas measured in two closely located plots at six depths down to 170 cm, during 2000 (referencernperiod) and after an experimental fire set on one of the plots in June 2001 (treatment period).rnMoisture differences between homologous days (I) of the treatment and the reference periodsrnwere computed both for the control (Dci) and for the burned (Dbi) plots. Results showed significantlyrnhigher values of Dbi both at the dry and at the rainy seasons. Values of Dci were subtractedrnfrom Dbi in order to estimate the net effect of fire on soil water storage (Si). Values of Sirnshowed a maximum of 108.2 mm in the dry season and a maximum of 145.2 mm in thernrainy season. At the upper soil layers values of Si decreased as vegetation recovery proceededrnalong the dry season.