Soil heating in chaparral fires: effects on soil properties, plant nutrients, erosion, and runoff

Leonard F. DeBano; Raymond M. Rice; Conrad C. Eugene

Treesearch

Soil heating in chaparral fires: effects on soil properties, plant nutrients, erosion, and runoff

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Leonard F. DeBano, Raymond M. Rice, Conrad C. Eugene

Year:

1979

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

Source:

Res. Paper PSW-RP-145. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 21 p

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Download (PDF 1.97 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/29933.pdf

Abstract

This state-of-the-art report summarizes what is known about the effects of heat on soil during chaparral fires. It reviews the literature on the effects of such fires on soil properties, availabilty and loss of plant nutrients, soil wettability, erosion, and surface runoff. And it reports new data collected during recent prescribed burns and a wildfire in southern California. From the data, stylized curves that characterize soil heating during light, moderate, and intense chaparral fires were developed. The information is useful in estimating the effects of fire on soils in chaparral ecosystems.

Keywords

chaparral, brush fires, soil heating, heat effects

Citation

DeBano, Leonard F.; Rice, Raymond M.; Eugene, Conrad C. 1979. Soil heating in chaparral fires: effects on soil properties, plant nutrients, erosion, and runoff. Res. Paper PSW-RP-145. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 21 p