Dynamics of the chemical properties of the soil of the El Gavilán - Cajamarca Forest plantation, after the fire of October 2020

Abstract

The research was conducted in the soil of the El Gavilán forest plantation in Cajamarca, with the objective of studying the dynamics of soil chemical properties in the El Gavilán forest plantation after the October 2020 fire. The properties under investigation included texture, pH, exchangeable Al, total lime, electrical conductivity, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na), base saturation, and exchange acidity. The results indicated that there were no variations in soil particle size fractions and texture between the fire-affected and unaffected soils. Among the chemical properties, those that decreased in the soil affected by the fire after 4 months included pH, electrical conductivity, available phosphorus, available potassium, exchangeable calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as base saturation. Additionally, chemical properties that consistently increased after the fire included aluminum (which decreased at 8 months), organic matter, total nitrogen, and cation exchange capacity.