Can ash from smoldering fires increase peatland soil pH?

Peatland wildfire frequency and severity are increasing globally owing to climate change. The direct risk of elevated greenhouse gas emissions from peat burning receives much attention, yet the risks vegetation composition or decomposition alkaline ash inputs poorly understood. We explored whether produced during smoldering increases peatland topsoil (∼0–25 cm) pH through field observations laboratory experiments. assessed spatial patterns presence, measured soil after a in Netherlands. Additionally, experiment was conducted compare freshly with aged collected 2 months following wildfire. we amount needed increase pH. Results showed that at site were insufficient acidic Incubation experiments ≥3 cm layer (ash load 163 t ha–1) would be required by least 1 unit. Given slightly fresh alkaline, leaching neutralisation is likely, suggesting input may transient rather than long term.