The effects of wildfire on soil wettability and hydrological behaviour of an afforested catchment

摘要: Abstract A wildfire in February 1986 destroyed most of an afforested research catchment the southwestern Cape region South Africa. The hydrological consequences fire were quantified using monitored pre-fire and post-fire stream flow sediment data from burned a nearby control catchment. Soil loss soil wettability also measured. In first year after fire, weekly totals increased by 12%, quick volumes 201%, peak rates 290% response ratio 242%. on overland plots ranged 10 to 26 t ha−1, suspended bedload yields each roughly four-fold following fire. Wettability soils was greatly reduced passage Surface layers (0–10 mm) clean any inherent water repellency hot but more severe repellency, broader bands, induced deeper levels heating soil. It is postulated that widespread development led during larger rainstorms, which turn caused markedly altered behaviour high losses relative unburned condition.