Effects of prescribed burning on soil microbial groups in Pinus Cubensis forests

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in a natural Pinus cubensis forest of the Silvicultural Base Business Unit (UEB), Guantánamo Agroforestry Company, in the Monte Llano town, Yateras municipality, Guantánamo province in the period from November 2018 to January 2021. With the objective of proposing actions to mitigate the effects of prescribed burning on microbial populations of the soil of a natural Pinus cubensis. The objective of the research is to evaluate the effects of the prescribed burning in advance on soil microorganisms in a native Pinus cubensis forest, three plots of 1000 m² were burned, the method of the 1m² plot was used to determine the amount of material fuel, fire behavior parameters were determined and the effect of fire on bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes was evaluated. Combustible material was reduced by 56,26%. The fire did not cause considerable changes in microorganisms. Therefore, the prescribed burns do not cause significant changes on soil microorganisms.