『Abstract
In the semi-arid savannas of southern Arizona, arbuscular mycorrhizal
(AM) and saprophytic fungi are unique and measurable linkages
between soil, plant and erosion processes. In the first growing
season following burning significant declines in perennial grass
cover and soil infiltration rates were observed, as were increases
in bulk density. In the second growing season, perennial grass
cover and infiltration rates continued to be lower on the burned
plots. There were also appreciable declines in fungal variables,
water stable aggregates (WSA) and other variables indicating declines
in surface soil structure that were not present in the first year.
Significant correlative relationships were evident between plant,
fungal and physical soil attributes. The relationship of percent
WSA to live fungal biomass was a strong predictor of soil loss
from erosion plots. The live fungal fraction of the soil organic
carbon (SOC) and not total levels of SOC appeared to strongly
influence the soil structural stability and erosion processes
in semi-arid Arizona savannas.
Keywords: Erosion; Fire; Live fungal biomass; Perennial grasses;
Water stable aggregates』
1. Introduction
2. Methods and materials
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References