Composition and Chemistry

Fire dynamics and implications for nitrogen cycling in boreal forests

  1. Jennifer W. Harden1,
  2. Michelle Mack2,
  3. Hugo Veldhuis3,
  4. S. T. Gower4

Article first published online: 7 DEC 2002

DOI: 10.1029/2001JD000494

Issue

Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres (1984–2012)

Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres (1984–2012)

Volume 107, Issue D3, pages WFX 4-1–WFX 4-8, 16 February 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Harden, J. W., M. Mack, H. Veldhuis, and S. T. Gower, Fire dynamics and implications for nitrogen cycling in boreal forests, J. Geophys. Res., 107, 8223, doi:10.1029/2001JD000494, 2002. [printed 108(D3), 2003]

Author Information

  1. 1

    U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California, USA

  2. 2

    Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

  3. 3

    Agriculture Canada, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

  4. 4

    Forest Ecosystem Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 DEC 2002
  2. Article first published online: 7 DEC 2002
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 4 OCT 2001
  4. Manuscript Revised: 27 SEP 2001
  5. Manuscript Received: 8 FEB 2001

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Keywords:

  • boreal forest;
  • carbon and nitrogen cycling;
  • fire emissions;
  • nitrogen loss;
  • BOREAS;
  • Boreal Ecosystem Atmosphere Study

[1] We used a dynamic, long-term mass balance approach to track cumulative carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) losses to fire in boreal Manitoba over the 6500 years since deglaciation. Estimated C losses to decomposition and fire, combined with measurements of N pools in mature and burned forest floors, suggest that loss of N by combustion has likely resulted in a long-term loss that exceeds the amount of N stored in soil today by 2 to 3 times. These estimates imply that biological N fixation rates could be as high as 5 to 10 times atmospheric deposition rates in boreal regions. At the site scale, the amount of N lost is due to N content of fuels, which varies by stand type and fire severity, which in turn vary with climate and fire dynamics. The interplay of fire frequency, fire severity, and N partitioning during regrowth are important for understanding rates and sustainability of nutrient and carbon cycling over millenia and over broad regions.

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