The Response of Soil Physicochemical Properties in the Hyrcanian Forests of Iran to Forest Fire Events

When forest fires occur, highly complex effects on soil properties and hydrological processes are activated. However, in countries such as Iran, these consequences not widely studied there is a lack of studies. Therefore, the main aim this study was to investigate wildfire quality characteristics representative area located Hyrcanian forests, specifically, Zarrinabad watershed Sari. For purpose, four different sites, including unburnt natural (UNF), burned (BNF), plantation (UPF), forests (BPF) were selected. Soil sampling performed at each site using random, systematic method depth from 0 30 cm. To fire physical chemical indicators, 10 plots with dimensions 0.5 × m placed distance 1.5 other site. samples transported laboratory their determined. The results showed that percentage sand, silt, aggregate stability, hydrophobicity, organic carbon, matter, total nitrogen, absorbable potassium phosphorus, electrical conductivity, pH, increased significantly when surface (p ≤ 0.01, p 0.05). clay percentage, initial, final, average infiltration areas decreasing trend comparison statuses. Furthermore, no significant observed true bulk density, porosity, moisture ≥ These findings demonstrate Iran must be considered key topic for land managers because drastically modified, degradation could irreparably