Soil moisture dynamics and smoldering combustion limits of pocosin soils in North Carolina, USA
James Reardon A C , Gary Curcio B and Roberta Bartlette A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula, MT 59808, USA.
B North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, Kinston, NC 28504, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: jreardon@fs.fed.us
International Journal of Wildland Fire 18(3) 326-335 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF08085
Submitted: 29 May 2007 Accepted: 1 July 2008 Published: 28 May 2009
Abstract
Smoldering combustion of wetland organic soils in the south-eastern USA is a serious management concern. Previous studies have reported smoldering was sensitive to a wide range of moisture contents, but studies of soil moisture dynamics and changing smoldering combustion potential in wetland communities are limited. Linking soil moisture measurements with estimates of the sustained smoldering limits of organic soils will improve our understanding of changes in ground fire potential over time. Seasonal soil moisture trends were monitored in six North Carolina coastal plain pocosin sites from January 2005 to November 2007. Measurements of the root-mat upper soil horizons were sampled at 2-week intervals while measurements of lower horizon muck (sapric) soil moisture contents and watertable depths were made with automated data logging equipment. The watertable and soil moisture responses were influenced by seasonal and yearly differences in precipitation and hydrologic factors. The maximum estimated probabilities of sustained smoldering were highest in the fall of 2007 and lowest in 2006. Watertable depth was not a consistent predictor of the smoldering combustion potential in the upper organic soil horizons. Maximum Keetch–Byram Drought Index values on all sites were between 500 and 662 during 2005 and 2007 and these values were not consistent with measured soil moistures.
Acknowledgements
The present study was completed with funding from the Joint Fire Science Program and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; Goldsbourgh, NC. Sampling and support were provide by Vince Carver, Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge; Joe Jarman and Glenn Catts, Hofmann State Forest; Justin Bennett, Kim Hendricks, Erin Moye, Rachael Moore and Eric Garrell, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Forest Resources Division.
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