IMPACT OF WILD FIRE ON SOIL PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN A DRY DECIDUOUS FOREST OF MELGHAT

Effects of a wildfire on soil chemical and physical properties in a Melghat forest( north ? western compact block is extending over 3075 Sq km. in the Amravati district of Maharashtra) were investigated. Response of the soil during the first two years following a wildfire was examined, where data from soil in a burned forest were compared to that in an adjacent, unburned soil. The effects that wildfire have on soil properties in this highly fragmented ecosystem are not well understood, but results from this study suggest similar responses to those found in other Mediterranean forest systems. Both physical and chemical properties were examined, and data presented here suggest that soil properties vary in their initial response to fire in this ecosystem.Na and K does not alter in burn and unburned soil, total nitrogen also remain same. While total organic carbon increases, electric conductivity also increases. TOC: TN ratio also increases. The available phosphorus increases sharply which may result in the PH 6.5. The results of this study have implications for the productivity and sustainable management of the native forest remnants that remain in this region.