Evaluation of fire severity via analysis of photosynthetic pigments: Oak, eucalyptus and cork oak leaves in a Mediterranean forest

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 206; pp. 65 - 68
• Main Authors: Soler, M., Úbeda, X.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.01.2018
• Subjects: Carotenoids; chlorophyll; Chlorophylls; chromatography; Eucalyptus; fire severity; forests; furnaces; leaves; Mediterranean region; photosynthesis; pigments; Prescribed fire; Quercus suber; soil; Temperature; Wildfire; wildfires; Mediterranean region; Wildfire; Temperature; Carotenoids; Prescribed fire; Chlorophylls
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.10.011

Few studies to date have examined the effect of the high temperatures attained during wildfire events on the pigments present in forest foliage. Here, we seek to analyse the main photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of the oak, cork oak and eucalyptus following a wildfire. We also subject leaves of these last two species to a range of contact temperatures (100–500 °C) in the laboratory using a muffle furnace. The samples were left in the muffle for two hours at 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 and 500 °C, in line with other soil study models (Úbeda et al., 2009; Düdaite et al., 2013). At temperatures above 250 °C, chromatography fails to detect any pigments. A minimal increase in temperature degrades chlorophyll, the process being more rapid in eucalyptus than in cork oak, while it increases pheophytin concentrations. •It is complex issue to determine the fire severity following a forest fire.•Photosynthetic pigments can be a good and cheap indicator of fire severity.•Each species responds differently to the same fire intensity.