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Fire effects on water quality: a synthesis of response regulating factors among contrasting ecosystems

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The key components of watershed processes are inputs in precipitation, interactions of vegetation, soil and water including evapotranspiration (water yield), overland flow (erosion), and storage and filtering (nutrients), and outputs in streamflow. Fire effects occur at the vegetation-soil interface and can result in altering overland flow and infiltration rate of water. Fire can affect infiltration rates by collapsing soil structure and reducing soil porosity, contributing ash and charcoal residues which can clog soil pores, and raindrop splash can compact soil and firther contribute to loss of soil porosity. An extreme example is the development of hydrophobic soils as observed in the western U.S. following severe wildfire. Watershed responses to fire depend on intensity and severity. Many factors influence fire severity including the quality and quantity of fuels, soil properties, topography, climate, and weather. The most important factors influencing the response to fire are vegetation mortality and the loss of the forest floor which are directly proportional to fire severity. Vegetation mortality reduces nutrient and water uptake, soil stability with root death, and the litter source for forest floor replenishment. The forest floor litter and humus (duQ layers provide soil cover, act as a sponge, and enhance infiltration. Large storm events immediately after a fie can accelerate surface runoff and compact soil.

Citation

Elliott, Katherine J.; Vose, James M. 2006. Fire effects on water quality: a synthesis of response regulating factors among contrasting ecosystems. In: Second Interagency Conference on Research in the watersheds, May 16-18, 2006 11 p.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/28850