Gradients of geochemical change in relic charcoal hearth soils, Northwestern Connecticut, USA

Relic charcoal hearths (RCHs) have produced distinct legacy effects in forest soils around the world. Recently, LiDAR imagery has revealed thousands of 18th–early 20th century RCHs Litchfield County, Connecticut, USA; however, on a landscape-scale are not well-documented, particularly fine-scale heterogeneity within and surrounding soils. This study examines long-term impacts production by measuring RCH soil chemical physical properties from three perspectives: (1) compared to adjacent reference sites (RSadj), (2) laterally at systematic distances away center, (3) vertically profile. Mean abundance was greater than RSadj (p < 0.01). Soil organic carbon (SOC), total C, extractable Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ were as 0.01), available phosphorus K+, trace elements (Mo, Ag, Hg, Se) lower 0.05). In vertical profiles, many had 2 charcoal-rich layers anthropic epipedon, demonstrating multiple episodes production. Peaks SOC, C:N, Mg2+ corresponded with layers. Systematic transect sampling across boundary identified fragments up 25 m beyond boundary, increasing surface-level (0–15 cm) area impact for an individual more 30×, 5-m radius (RCH = 78.5 m2) 30-m (total 2826 m2). These findings capture variations among contribute estimating impacted historical