The Effects of Prescribed Burning on Nutrient Content of Selected Understory Species in an East Texas Loblolly-Shortleaf Pine Stand

摘要

The objectives of this study were to determine whether prescribed burning affected nutrient levels in leaves and twigs of six species and whether there were differences in response between leaves and twigs. Backfire and headfire treatments were used to determine differences between burning techniques. Samples were collected in October, 1974. The burn was in March, 1975 and post-burn sampling was in June, 1975, September, 1975, and June, 1976. Leaf and twig tissue were analyzed for contents of protein, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus and then subjected to statistical analysis. No difference was found between burning techniques. Protein and phosphorus increased and calcium decreased significantly in most species three months after the burn, but the effects diminished thereafter. Potassium response was small in relation to other nutrients. Nutrient response was greater in twigs than leaves except for calcium. Only Alabama supplejack had significant nutrient differences in June, 1976.