Which of the following is/are the environmental impacts associated with forest fires? 1. It will increase storm water runoff. 2. It will result in near-zero nutrient availability in the forest soil. 3. It may help grow native plants by killing invasive weeds. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Following are the environmental impacts of forest fires:
The most noticeable impact of wildfires is stormwater runoff (storm water is water that originates from precipitation events, including snow and ice melt).
After the loss of vegetation, the ground’s soil becomes hydrophobic and prevents the absorption of water.
This inability to absorb water promotes the transportation of debris and sediment into larger bodies of water, further polluting valuable and essential resources. Post-fire flash floods become a threat and allow the introduction of heavy metals from ash and soil to infiltrate waterways.
Hence statement 1 is correct.
As a forest burns, large amounts of smoke are released into the atmosphere.
These smoke particles are typically small and made up of gases and water vapor.
Air pollution from fires have the potential to travel great distances and oftentimes may pose a threat to human health.
Forest fires affect the species population and distribution.
Although wildfires leave an immense amount of destruction in their path, they do leave behind some beneficial qualities too.
Fire often clears out any invasive weeds, insects and disease that may have been affecting a particular forest site, providing a chance for the area to have a fresh start with native species.
Hence statement 3 is correct.
Fires also open the forest canopies to allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, benefitting the many plants that are shade intolerant and cannot compete with more shade tolerant plants.
Fires are a great way of clearing out the clutter.
They can break down nutrients and minerals in burning plants and other debris such as old logs, leaves and dense undergrowth and restore them to the soil, thus making for a more fertile area.
The increase in available nutrients in the soil after the fire also helps create the perfect condition to boost microbial life in the forest floor.