Wildfires have a variety of impacts on soils, altering physical, chemical, and biological properties. In this activity, the impact of fire is simulated by heating soil in an oven, and the fungal community in the soil is observed based on growth of visible structures in the presence of a microbial food source.

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Organization
Soil Science Society of America
Discipline
Earth and Space Sciences
Grade Level
3-5
6-8
9-12
Lesson Area
Soil Chemistry
Soils and Plant Growth
Lesson Type
Lab Experiment
Lesson Keywords
Fire
Soil Organisms
Fungi

Next Generation Science Standards

Grade Discipline Core Idea
3-5 ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems

Societal activities have had major effects on the land, ocean, atmosphere, and even outer space. Societal activities can also help protect Earth's resources and environments.
3-5 LS2.C: Ecosystem dynamics
6-8 ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems

Human activities have altered the biosphere, sometimes damaging it, although changes to environments can have different impacts for different living things. Activities and technologies can be engineered to reduce people's impacts on Earth.
6-8 LS2.C: Ecosystem dynamics
9-12 ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems

Sustainability of human societies and the biodiversity that supports them requires responsible management of natural resources, including the development of technologies. 
9-12 LS2.C: Ecosystem dynamics