The effects of forest fire on soil, hydrology, and the balance of ecologically significant elements in the context of the vegetation

The effects of forest fire on soil, hydrology, and the balance of ecologically significant elements in the context of the vegetation

The project deals with the interaction between soil, precipitation, vegetation and soil fauna. The objective is to 1) evaluate the influence of different vegetation types preceding a forest fire on soil properties, 2) describe the consequences of fire on precipitation-runoff relationships, and 3) evaluate the mobility of substances in the soil and watershed and their relationship as a function of soil organic matter composition and burn rate of the basin under study. The presented project benefits from the opportunity of a large-scale forest fire in the České Švýcarsko NP in 2022, which allows measurements depending on the vegetation cover, infiltration, precipitation and runoff, which has fundamental consequences for nature conservation and management of areas before and after a fire.

Thematic areas

Biodiversity

Project contribution to Mission Soil’s:

Specific objectives

  • 1. Reduce land degradation relating to desertification
    Not targeted
  • 2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
    Not targeted
  • 3. No net soil sealing and increase the reuse of urban soils
    Not targeted
  • 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
    Not targeted
  • 5. Prevent erosion
    Not targeted
  • 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
    Partially targeted
  • 7. Reduce the EU global footprint on soils
    Not targeted
  • 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
    Not targeted

Operational objectives

  • 1. Build capacities and the knowledge base for soil stewardship
    Not targeted
  • 2. Co-create and upscale place-based innovations to improve soil health in all places
    Partially targeted
  • 3. Develop an integrated EU soil monitoring system and track progress towards soil health
    Not targeted
  • 4. Engage with the soil user community and society at large
    Not targeted

Innovation hotspots

  • 1. Carbon farming
    Not targeted
  • 2. Soil pollution and restoration
    Not targeted
  • 3. Soil biodiversity including the microbiome
    Targeted
  • 4. Circular economy solutions
    Not targeted

Cross-cutting dimensions

  • 1. Business
    Not targeted
  • 2. Digital
    Not targeted
  • 3. Territorial
    Not targeted
  • 4. International
    Not targeted

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