Wood Decomposition in the Forest Floor and Mineral Soil after Fire or Biomass Removal in Dry
Western Ecosystems
D. S. Page-Dumroese, M. F. Jurgensen, W. Elliot, D. Ferguson, P. Robichaud, T. M. Rice, J. Hensiek, J.M.
Tirocke
Abstract. Over the past 100 years, many western forests have accumulated large amounts of carbon (C) in
surface woody residues due to wildfire-suppression policies. This build-up of organic matter (OM) has led
to catastophic wildfires and large losses of C to the atmosphere. Climate change scenarios have predicted
many western U.S. forests will become warmer and drier, which would increase wildfire risk and
associated losses of soil C. In these forests it would be beneficial to accelerate wood decomposition to
reduce surface fuel loadings and retain more C in mineral soil horizons. Soil OM is important to forest soil
productivity through its effect on water availability, nutrient supply and soil microorganisms. We are
measuring decomposition of standard substrate wood stakes in the forest floor and mineral soil under
different climatic conditions, soil fertility levels, burn condition, management/mitigation scenarios and/or
overstory cover. We anticipate generating much-needed information on the relationships of climate, soil
fertility and stand condition to wood decomposition.