Start Date

6-11-2018 4:00 PM

End Date

6-11-2018 5:00 PM

Access Type

Open Access

Abstract

The high intensity 16 Mile Fire that burned in the Delaware State Forest, PA was not typical in forests of this region. This study tracks the chemical signature in the soil as a result of the combustion of biomass and associated ash inputs. Chemical signatures related directly to the fire impacted soils were observed, with some remaining after one year’s time. These lasting signatures may influence the future structure of the forest. The results of this study begin to address implications of high intensity fire in forests of the northeast as changing climatic conditions may begin to influence their fire regimes.

Biography

Dr. Jennifer Callanan is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science at William Paterson University. She obtained her doctoral degree in Environmental Management at Montclair State University in 2008. Her research is centered on the impacts of wild and prescribed fire on soil clay mineralogy and chemistry. It is focused in forests of the northeastern United States including the NJ Pine Barrens, the Kittatinny Mountains of NJ, and the Pocono Mountains of PA.

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Nov 6th, 4:00 PM Nov 6th, 5:00 PM

Tracking Soil Signatures of the 16 Mile Fire, Delaware State Forest, PA

The high intensity 16 Mile Fire that burned in the Delaware State Forest, PA was not typical in forests of this region. This study tracks the chemical signature in the soil as a result of the combustion of biomass and associated ash inputs. Chemical signatures related directly to the fire impacted soils were observed, with some remaining after one year’s time. These lasting signatures may influence the future structure of the forest. The results of this study begin to address implications of high intensity fire in forests of the northeast as changing climatic conditions may begin to influence their fire regimes.