Effects of cultural burning on insect-associated nematodes in the soil.

The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area conducted a cultural burn in oak woodland as part of cultural revitalization efforts. This low-intensity burn only moderately affected soil nematodes that infest acorn-feeding insects. The nematodes were frequently found after the burn, even within burned piles. This finding suggests that cultural burning may help to prevent outbreaks of acorn-feeding insects not only directly by killing them with heat, but also indirectly by having only minor effects on the soil nematodes. Preventing outbreaks of acorn-feeding insects increases the likelihood of more acorns being available for wildlife and cultural use.