Hypothesis B

Eroded soil with B horizon exposed, in pioneer lo-wood plot.

Erosional deposition uphill of a stump, in pioneer lo-wood plot.

Post-fire needle-fall, in Panther control plot.

Needle-fall appears to have reduced erosion, in the Panther control plot.

Hypothesis B: “Wildfires sterilize the soil and cause irreversible soil damage—therefore reducing long-term productivity.”

Many processes are active during and after a fire and must be accounted for, including volatilization of nutrients, combustion, erosion, and needlefall.

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