The impact of wildfire on biogeochemical fluxes and water quality in boreal catchments

1 June 2021

The authors measured element losses and impacts on water quality following a wildfire in Sweden. They observed the largest carbon and nitrogen losses during the fire and a strong pulse of elements 1–3 months after the fire that showed a fast (weeks) and a slow (months) release from the catchments. Total carbon export through water did not increase post-fire. Overall, they observed a rapid recovery of the biogeochemical cycling of elements within 3 years but still an annual net release of carbon dioxide.

The press release by Uppsala University can be found at: https://www.uu.se/en/press/press-release/?id=5538&typ=pm&lang=en

Contact: Gustaf Granath (gustaf.granath@gmail.com)