Effect of prescribed burning on chlorophyll fluorescence and sap flow of Pinus laricio, a preliminary study

Abstract

Forest fires constitute important perturbations in Mediterranean ecosystems, and preventing methods are used (e.g. prescribed burning) to avoid large scale fires during dry periods. This preliminary study aims to investigate the effects of prescribed burning on Corsican pine (Pinus nigra ssp. laricio (Poir.) Maire var. corsicana (Loud.) Hyl.) in field conditions. Two complementary approaches were tested: chlorophyll fluorescence and sap flow measurements. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters allowed showing short term effects of prescribed burning, with a decrease of photochemical process on burned pines. However, at medium term, no significant difference was visible between burned and reference trees. Sap flow monitoring provided information about daily and seasonal cycles, it was greatly correlated with vapour pressure deficit, but no effect of prescribed burning was observed.