Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Boise, Idaho » Northwest Watershed Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #299383
Title: Ecohydrologic impacts of rangeland fire on runoff and erosion: A literature synthesis

Author
item Pierson Jr, Frederick
item Williams, Christopher - Jason

Submitted to: Forest Service General Technical Reports
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2016
Publication Date: 7/1/2016
Citation: Pierson Jr, F.B., Williams, C.J. 2016. Ecohydrologic impacts of rangeland fire on runoff and erosion: A literature synthesis. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-351. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 110 p.

Interpretive Summary: Fire can dramatically influence rangeland hydrology/erosion by altering ecohydrologic relationships. This synthesis presents an ecohydrologic perspective on the effects of fire on rangeland runoff and erosion through a review of scientific literature spanning multiple decades. The objectives are: (1) introduce rangeland hydrology and erosion concepts necessary for understating hydrologic impacts of fire; (2) describe how climate, vegetation, and soils affect rangeland hydrology and erosion; and (3) use examples from literature to illustrate how fire interacts with key ecohydrologic relationships. The synthesis provides a useful reference and conceptual framework for understanding and evaluating impacts of fire on rangeland runoff and erosion.

Technical Abstract: Fire can dramatically influence rangeland hydrology/erosion by altering ecohydrologic relationships. This synthesis presents an ecohydrologic perspective on the effects of fire on rangeland runoff and erosion through a review of scientific literature spanning multiple decades. The objectives are: (1) introduce rangeland hydrology and erosion concepts necessary for understating hydrologic impacts of fire; (2) describe how climate, vegetation, and soils affect rangeland hydrology and erosion; and (3) use examples from literature to illustrate how fire interacts with key ecohydrologic relationships. The synthesis provides a useful reference and conceptual framework for understanding and evaluating impacts of fire on rangeland runoff and erosion.