@article {bnh-5401, title = {Influence of controlled burning on the mobility and temporal variations of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in the soils of a legacy gold mine site in Central Victoria, Australia}, journal = {Geoderma}, volume = {331}, year = {2018}, chapter = {1}, abstract = {

Controlled burns also known as managed burns or prescribed fires conducted in fire-prone areas are an efficient and economic option to reduce the frequency and intensity of\ wildfires. The objective of this study is to investigate the\ remobilizationof potentially\ toxic metals\ (PTMs) in the soils of a legacy\ gold mine\ site in Central Victoria, Australia after a controlled burn and to describe their\ temporal variationsin concentrations. Soil samples were collected two days before, two days after and five times later (3, 6, 9, 12 months and after major rainfall) in the post-burn environment after a controlled burn, from the Maldon legacy mine site and analysed for PTM concentrations. The results revealed PTM mobilization after the burn and most of the PTMs (As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn) evidenced an increase immediately after the burn but a reduction in the subsequent post-burn environment. The increase is postulated to be associated with addition of PTM enriched ash to the soil, while the decrease is due to the removal of ash and surface soil by wind activity as well as rainfall\ runoff\ and\ leaching. The PTM mobility is of specific concern due to the negative impacts on human and\ ecosystems health.\ Climate change\ and the resulting projection of increased\ forest fire\ frequency highlight the environmental significance, given the expected concomitant increase in PTM mobilization through wildfires and controlled burns. Hence, the practice of controlled burning should be carefully considered as a\ forest management\ option in any legacy mining areas and indeed in other areas where PTM\ contamination\ is reported.

}, keywords = {Ash, forest fire, Forest management, Metal mobility, prescribed fire, Soil and water contamination}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.06.010}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016706117320001}, author = {Joji Abraham and Kim Dowling and Singarayer Florentine} } @article {2046, title = {Climate and recent fire history affect fuel loads in Eucalyptus forests: Implications for fire management in a changing climate}, journal = {Forest Ecology and Management}, volume = {260}, year = {2010}, month = {2010/10/15/}, pages = {1791 - 1797}, abstract = {Predicted changes to global climates are expected to affect natural fire regimes. Many studies suggest that the impact of these effects could be minimised by reducing fuel loads through prescribed burning. Fuel loads are dynamic and are affected by a range of factors including fire and climate. In this study, we use a 22-year dataset to examine the relative influence of climate and fire history on rates of litterfall and decomposition, and hence fuel loads, in a coastal Eucalypt forest in south-eastern Australia. Litterfall and decomposition were both affected by temperature, recent rainfall and fire history variables. Over the study period prescribed burning immediately reduced fuel loads, with fuel loads reaching pre-burn levels within 3 years of a fire. Modelling fuel loads under predicted climate change scenarios for 2070 suggests that while fuel loads are reduced, the levels are not significantly lower than those recorded in the study. Based on these predictions it is unlikely that the role or value of prescribed burning in these forests will change under the scenarios tested in this study. }, keywords = {Accumulation, Climate change, Decomposition, Forest management, Prescribed burning}, isbn = {0378-1127}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T6X-511H38D-1/2/2825befe9a608c7cb83a0a58406d25a8}, author = {Trent Penman and York, Alan} }