THE EFFECT OF FIRE ON ORGANIC SOIL IN THE AREA OF FORESTS DIVISION CHOCIANOW

摘要

The study was conducted on organic soils of the Forest Division Chocianow in the Wierzbowa District, located in the vicinity of former military ranges of the Soviet Army. In 1983 and 1991, meadow and forests areas were affected by fires, which covered 1382 ha in 1981 and 1122 ha in 1991. Analysed organic soils were represented by 4 profiles. Profile No 1 was located outside the range of the fires. Profiles No 2 and 3 were situated in the range of the fire in 1983, whereas profile No 4 was in the zone of both fires - in 1983 and 1991. The aim of the study was to characterise the present state of the areas affected by the fires with focus on the effect of fires on soil structure, and physical and chemical properties.