User:Zacpdx/sandbox

Fire and Carbon Cycling in Boreal Forests
Although permafrost keeps ground moist during winter, during summer months upper organic soil horizons will become dessicated. Permafrost is melting at a faster rate and length of fire season is increasing. Soil in boreal regions are significant global carbon sinks, boreal forest soil holds 200 Gt of carbon while boreal peatlands hold 400 Gt of carbon. Fire indirectly plays a role in the exchange of carbon between terrestial surface and the atmosphere by regulating soil and moisture regimes, including plant succession, photosynthesis, and soil microbial processes. A 5 - 10 degree C rise in forest floor temperature after a fire will significantly increase the rate of decomposition for years after the fire occurs, which temporarily turns the soil into a net carbon source (not sink) locally. burning enhances the biogenic emissions of NO and N20 from soil. Fire supression has been thought to be a global solution

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Review of Hydrophobic Soils Article
(Hydrophobic soil) This article is very under-covered. It only briefly describes hydrophobic soil in general. A specific issue with this article is that the two sources have broken links, so it is impossible to view them from the article page. It would also be helpful if there were photos. In terms of wildfires, it could be added that the burning of tree resins contributes to hydrophobicity and will make the top layer more wettable. The article could be more specific about the impact that hydrophobic soil has on post-burn sites. It briefly mentions surface runoff and erosion but it could also talk about the effect on vegetation and its effort to resprout.