Variables fisico-quimicas de turberas después de un incendio forestal

Abstract

The study was conducted in Sphagnum-dominated peatbogs near the town of Tolhuin (54°27'55"S, 67°10'14"W), on the Argentine part of Tierra del Fuego island. Sampling was carried out in eight peatlands affected by the 2019 wildfire during the austral growing season of 2023 – 2024 (December to February), approximately five years after the fire event. A stratified sampling design based on burn severity and microtopographic position was applied, with both factors visually classified in the field (Rein et al., 2008; Benscoter et al., 2011). Burn severity was classified into three categories: high, moderate, or low (Keeley, 2009; Fulazzaky et al., 2022). Microtopography was classified into two categories: hummock or hollow (Graham et al., 2020; Fulazzaky et al., 2022).Sampling was conducted using a targeted (non-random) stratified approach to capture the full range of burn severity conditions and microtopographic environments observed within each peatland, ensuring that all combinations of both factors were represented. A minimum of 30 samples were collected from each peatland. Peat samples were collected using a metal corer (7 cm in diameter x 7cm in depth). Immediately after collection, samples were weighed in the field to determine fresh weight, and stored in airtight plastic bags for transport to the laboratory.