Photo by V. Miller
Jan. 3, 2007
Regrowth after Wildfires
From Ashes to Life: Burned Region Plant Regeneration and Soil Transformation
David Cohn III, 14, Poway, Calif.
Travel Channel "Dream Science Trip" Award, Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, 2006
Project background: The Cedar Fire of 2003 was one of the largest wildfires in California's history. It destroyed more than 700,000 acres. After witnessing fire damage in his hometown, David became curious about how plant species repopulate areas that have been devastated by fires. He decided to investigate whether native or invasive plants were more likely to regrow in a nearby nature preserve. He also wanted to learn about what role soil may play in this process.
Tactics and results: David began to collect information barely a week after the fire had ended. Every 3 weeks between November 2003 and May 2006, David observed the number and species of plants that grew back in a burned area of the preserve. He also took samples of the soil, measuring its moisture and the amounts of nutrients such as nitrate and potassium.
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| Photo by V. Miller |
David found that native plants were more likely than nonnative plants to grow back in the burned areas. He also discovered that nutrients didn't decrease significantly in the burned soil.
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