Team Members: Rachel Adams, Mikaela Clemons, Van Nguyen and Brytani White

Soil Imperative functions to environment, wildlife, and humans Biodiversity and habitat Physical stability and support of plants Nutrient Cycling Importance

Nitrogen Cycle Involvement of bacteria Explanation and Main Function Bacteria Transforms nitrogen into usable forms for plants Nitrification Nitrosomonas Nitrobacter Importance

Temperature Average surface fire temperature: 1473 o F Under extreme conditions (like hot areas): 2192 o F Bacteria Survival Optimum growth of nitrifying bacteria: 77-86°F Nitrifying bacteria will die at 120° F Importance

If the temperature of a wildfire exceeds the optimal cultivating range of the bacteria, then the bacteria will die and stall the nitrogen cycle for a period of time because while most cannot survive the outstanding heat of certain wildfires, it will also take time for the limited amount of bacteria to reproduce to a healthy quantity.

1. Multiple samples of soil will be taken from areas vulnerable to wildfires that have not experienced a fire in at least 7-10 years Example area: Yellowstone National Park – last wildfire: Measure amount of bacteria Adding sugar or an energy source To increase organism activity and release Carbon Dioxide (Used to determine the mass of the micro- organisms in the soil) Allow incubation of bacteria, measure Carbon Dioxide release Laboratory respirometer Initial measurements of the bacteria will be documented 3. A controlled, prescribed fire with a common wildfire temperature of wildfire will take place in the lab setting with samples 4. After “wildfire” has died out, samples will have to be taken once again to measure and compare the final amount of bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle to the initial amount of bacteria. 5. Samples will be kept under close monitoring for following months Will continue to measure amount of bacteria Soil sample will be housed in condition similar to area it was taken from

Gives estimation to how long it will take for bacteria to reproduce to its previous amount before the “wildfire” Months following affecting of bacteria Sample 1 Carbon dioxide released (ml/minute) Sample 2 Carbon dioxide released (ml/minute) Sample 3 Carbon dioxide released (ml/minute) etc Area 1: Yellowstone National Park Sample Temperature (of soil) Carbon dioxide released unaffected by wildfire (ml/minute) Hottest Temperature of Mock Wildfire Hottest Temperature of Surface Soil Carbon dioxide released immediately after affected by mock wildfire (ml/minute) Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 etc

By understanding the extent of damage done by temperature in a wildfire on the nitrogen cycle of soil and its long term consequences, humans can create more efficient solutions on how to recreate destroyed bacteria of the soil or even nurse it back to health in faster ways.

Bonsor, Kevin. (29 May 2001). "How Wildfires Work" HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved 21 February 2014, from How Stuff Works website: wildfire.htm DeBano, L. F. (1990, April 10). The Effect of Fire on Soil Properties. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from SoLo website: GTRs/INT_280/DeBano_INT-280.php Effects of Fire on Forest Soil. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2014, from Northern Rockies Fire website: Hoorman, J. J., & Islam, R. (2010). Understanding soil microbes and nutrient recycling [PDF]. Retrieved from Measuring and Identifying Soil Organisms. (2004). Retrieved February 21, 2014, from University of Western Australia website: Nitrifying Bacteria Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved from nitribactfacts.html Nitrogen cycle [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from Nitrogen cycle [Photograph]. (2008). Retrieved from aster html#.Ux-ciPldUxE NRCS National Soil Survey Center et al. (2011, September 19). Soil Functions: Services Provided by Soil Resources. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from Soil Quality for Environmental Health website: