Effects of Wildfire on Soils and Watershed Processes

Authors: George G. Ice¹; Daniel G. Neary²; Paul W. Adams³

Source: Journal of Forestry, Volume 102, Number 6, September 2004 , pp. 16-20(5)

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

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Abstract:

Wildfire can cause water repellency and consume plant canopy, surface plants and litter, and structure-enhancing organics within soil. Changes in soil moisture, structure, and infiltration can accelerate surface runoff, erosion, sediment transport, and deposition. Intense rainfall and some soil and terrain conditions can contribute to overland runoff and in-channel debris torrents. Mineralization of organic matter, interruption of root uptake, and loss of shade can further impact water quality by increasing stream temperatures and nutrient concentrations. Where wildfires are unnaturally large and severe, watershed effects are likely to be negatively skewed.

Keywords: debris torrent; erosion; fire intensity; fire severity; infiltration; nutrients; runoff; salvage logging; sediment deposition; temperature; watershed restoration; wildfire; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management

Document Type: Regular article

Affiliations: 1: Principal Scientist National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. PO Box 458 Corvallis OR 97339, Email: gice@ncasi.org 2: Project Leader Watersheds and Riparian Ecosystems, USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Southwest Forest Science Complex Flagstaff AZ 3: Professor and Extension Specialist Oregon State University Forest Engineering Department Corvallis

Publication date: 2004-09-01

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