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Fire and Water

Fire and Water. Dr. Carolyn Hunsaker Pacific Southwest Research Station , Fresno , CA. Science Synthesis. PSW GTR 247 available 2014 Science Synthesis to Support Socioecological Resilience in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade Range Chapter 4. Fire Chapter 5. Soils

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Fire and Water

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  1. Fire and Water Dr. Carolyn Hunsaker Pacific Southwest Research Station, Fresno, CA

  2. Science Synthesis • PSW GTR 247 available 2014 Science Synthesis to Support Socioecological Resilience in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade Range • Chapter 4. Fire • Chapter 5. Soils • Chapter 6. Water Resources and Aquatic Ecosystems

  3. Fire can be both good and badMuch of the Sierra Nevada has not burned in 80-100years

  4. We have more studies on wildfire than prescribed fire effects • Sierra Nevada has only 2 published studies on prescribed fire effects • North Tahoe • Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park • In progress • Kings River Experimental Watersheds

  5. Climate Change Effects • Increased storm intensity • Uncharacteristically severe wildfire • Promotes vegetation disturbance • Including insect/pathogen outbreaks • Drought • Wildfire • Air pollution stress • WHICH---

  6. Affect Sediment & Channel Processes • Increased flooding and sediment movement • Could reduce channel stability & habitat quality • Post-fire sediment yields • 2-3 times • Post-fire debris flow—increase • Up to 10 times

  7. Fire: Nutrient (N & C) • Loss by volatilization • Wildfire higher than prescribed fire • N affected more than C • Nutrients can be elevated in streams • Neither fire type detrimental • Could be beneficial where atmospheric N deposition high

  8. Fire: Stream Invertebrates • No negative effects from prescribed fire • Post wildfire effects up to a few years • Difficult to generalize because depends on intensity

  9. Scientist Recommendations • Riparian restoration • Put fire back into headwater streams • Fuels reduction / forest restoration opportunities • Maintain or improve water quantity and quality

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