Kevin Robertson is a fire ecology research scientist with the Tall Timbers Research Station’s Fire Ecology Program in Tallahassee, Florida. He writes, “One question of concern to the public is how much of the carbon, nitrogen, and other nutrients stored in plants goes into the atmosphere, versus going back to the soil, when we burn. Of interest are the effects of prescribed burning on soil health and its contribution to greenhouse gases and global warming, which could influence the future of our right to burn…thus, our frequently burned pinelands burn much cleaner than your fireplace or a bonfire and return more nutrients to the soil.” He explains the effects of prescribed burning on soil health and what we should know about how this affects soil quality.
For more information and to listen online:
http://www.afoa.org/CILive/CI060628.htm

News notes are courtesy of Southern Forests Network News Notes
www.southernsustainableforests.org