Thermal analysis as a predictor for hydrological parameters of fire-affected soils

摘要: Abstract Soil burn severity indexes have been developed to rapidly assess ecosystem damage from vegetation fires and predict associated risks during the post-fire period. In terms of hydrological impacts fire, lack measurable relationships between commonly determined parameters responses has limited their potential mitigate hazards. This study examines link organic matter characteristics, main soil physical properties (clay content, bulk density, aggregate stability, water retention, repellency, rainfall–runoff ratio sediment concentration in runoff) order explore use characteristics as a proxy for fire impact on hydrology-related properties. samples five fire-affected burned unburned control sites Andisols areas Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), studied previously processes, were selected thermogravimetric (TG) analysis was carried out evaluate composition. The TG data used perform simple linear regressions with composition relatively homogeneous among sites, despite substantial within site variability regarding other examined which simplified assessment severity. led decrease relative amount labile pool an increase recalcitrant and/or refractory depending site. data, using 10 °C temperature range steps, allowed reasonable prediction most parameters, R 2 ranging 0.4 0.9  ≥ 0.6 6 8 evaluated. dehydration positively affected wilting point repellency negatively field capacity concentration, whereas showed opposite trend. unrelated except clay content runoff. These results, conjunction simplicity suggest that, after initial calibration step site-specific properties, novel approach introduced this could serve useful tool rapid cost-effective evaluation severity, anticipated fire.