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 ID: 429835
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Fire and Water
Dr. Carolyn HunsakerPacific Southwest Research Station, Fresno, CASlide2
Science Synthesis
PSW GTR 247 available 2014Science Synthesis to Support Socioecological Resilience in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade RangeChapter 4. FireChapter 5. SoilsChapter 6. Water Resources and Aquatic EcosystemsSlide3
Fire can be both good and bad
Much of the Sierra Nevada has not burned in 80-100yearsForest TypeHistorical firereturn interval (year)Historical area burned(acres/year)Mixed-conifer1276,000West-side Ponderosa pine5115,000Slide4
We have more studies on wildfire than prescribed fire effects
Sierra Nevada has only 2 published studies on prescribed fire effectsNorth TahoeSequoia/Kings Canyon National ParkIn progressKings River Experimental WatershedsSlide5
Climate Change Effects
Increased storm intensity Uncharacteristically severe wildfirePromotes vegetation disturbanceIncluding insect/pathogen outbreaksDroughtWildfireAir pollution stressWHICH---Slide6
Affect Sediment & Channel Processes
Increased flooding and sediment movementCould reduce channel stability & habitat qualityPost-fire sediment yields2-3 timesPost-fire debris flow—increaseUp to 10 timesSlide7
Fire: Nutrient (N & C)
Loss by volatilizationWildfire higher than prescribed fireN affected more than CNutrients can be elevated in streamsNeither fire type detrimentalCould be beneficial where atmospheric N deposition highSlide8
Fire: Stream Invertebrates
No negative effects from prescribed firePost wildfire effects up to a few yearsDifficult to generalize because depends on intensitySlide9
Scientist Recommendations
Riparian restorationPut fire back into headwater streamsFuels reduction / forest restoration opportunitiesMaintain or improve water quantity and quality