Short-Term Effects of Controlled Heathland Burning on Macro- and Microelements Accumulation in Calluna vulgaris

In order to protect, improve the condition and renew the heathland, foresters recommend controlled burning aimed at eliminating competing species, removing dead shoots, and stimulating Calluna vulgaris to grow. The aim of the research was to assess the impact of heath burning on the accumulation of nutrients in the shoots and roots of C. vulgaris. The results of our research indicate that the fire did not cause statistically significant changes in active acidity and exchangeable acidity in the surface layers of the soil compared to the control area. The heathland soils were nutrient-poor, with phosphorus being the most deficient element. The acidic pH of soils (pH<5.0) limited the bioavailability of macronutrients to plants. Spring burning of the heathland caused statistically significant differences in the content of N, P, K, Mg, Ca and Mn in the surface layer (A), N, P, K, Cu and Fe in the B layer and P, Mg, Cu and Fe in the C layer of the soil compared to the control surface. The macronutrient content in live shoots and roots was very low, except for calcium. The high content of Ca resulted from the functioning of C. vulgaris under stress conditions related to phosphorus deficiency in the soil and aging of the heath. In the short-term assessment, controlled burning of the heathland caused statistically significant differences in the content of N, P, K, Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn in shoots (p<0.01) and Mn in roots (p<0.05). The fire significantly (p<0.01) changed the values of the ratios between important nutrients (N/P, K/Mg and Fe/Mn) in the shoots of C. vulgaris compared to the control area.