Fire Results in the Production of Ash from Vegetation and Soil

question 41

Multiple Choice

Fire results in the production of ash from vegetation and soil organic matter.This ash contains nutrients that are most often

• A)lost from ecosystems almost immediately following the fire.
• B)devoid of elements required for plant growth.
• C)unavailable for mineralization causing nutrient retention in the system.
• D)available for plant uptake and vulnerable to loss if not taken up by recovering vegetation.

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Definitions:

Atmosphere

The gaseous envelope that surrounds the solid Earth and includes air, clouds, and precipitation.

Glaciers

Large masses of ice that move slowly over land, formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow, and can shape landscapes through erosion.

Lakes

Large bodies of water surrounded by land, usually freshwater, but they can also be salty in some regions.

Groundwater

Water that is found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock, which can form aquifers from which water can be extracted for use.